8 Countries to Lead LGBTQ-Inclusive Campaign During Qatar World Cup
(CNN) -- Ten European football teams — the Netherlands, England, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Wales — will participate in a season-long "OneLove" campaign promoting inclusion and opposing discrimination.Every country except Sweden and Norway has qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and each captain of these eight nations will wear a distinctive OneLove armband — which features a heart containing colors from all backgrounds — during the tournament.The Netherlands FA, which is spearheading the campaign, chose the colors to represent all heritages, backgrounds, genders, and sexual identities; the armband will be worn in Qatar where same-sex relationships are a criminal offense.Sweden and Norway will participate in the initiative during the upcoming Nations League matches, while England will also wear black armbands during both its UEFA Nations League matches to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II."This is an important message which suits the game of football: on the field everybody is equal and this should be the case in every place in society.
With the OneLove band we express this message," said Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands captain."On behalf of the Dutch team I have been wearing this band for quite a while now.
It is good to see that other countries are joining this initiative."OneLove was founded in the Netherlands in 2020 to emphasize that all football fans have at least one thing in common — their love of football — and to speak out against any form of discrimination.As well as focusing on public messaging, the initiative has also developed to offer diversity training to grassroots club."Our love of football unites us all.
