Nashvillians are rooting for the U.S. Men’s Team in World Cup clouded by controversy in Qatar

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has begun amid widespread controversy, with allegations of bribery, corruption and human rights abuses. But that didn’t stop Nashville fans from supporting the United States.

On Monday, fans swarmed the British-style Fleet Street Pub in Printer’s Alley to watch the American men face off against Wales.

Clad in red, white and blue, they filled the bar to witness the first men’s World Cup appearance since 2014. The men failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018. On the women’s side, the national team has won the last two World Cups.

Tyler Long, a former scouting coordinator for Nashville SC, was devastated that the Americans missed out in 2018. This time, he met up with friends who had flown to town to watch the games in Nashville.

“I was crying when we didn’t make the last World Cup,” he says. “I watched every game in the last World Cup but the U.S. is in it. I cannot not  watch them. But do I agree with what’s happened? No. But what can I do? What’s my agency?”

The tournament, which occurs every four years, kicked off Nov. 20. For the first time ever, the event is being held in the winter — the result of another first: a Middle Eastern host country.

Qatar’s bid to host the tournament has not been without its detractors. The country used its large migrant population to construct stadiums for the games in exploitive and dangerous conditions. The country was awarded its bid to host the World Cup in 2010. Since then, more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar from workplace accidents, car crashes, suicides, the heat and other causes.  

Nashville bartender David Dejesus Baez says he thinks the situation is “terrible.”

“People dying just to build a stadium to celebrate this game, and everything kind of gets swept under the rug. All this is forgotten when things are well, you know what I mean? And when money is generated.”

Baez says it’s kind of the way the world is right now. For him, though, watching soccer is all about the camaraderie and chaos.

The U.S. tied Wales in their first match of the tournament. They will face England Nov. 24 as they work to advance out of the group stage.