As the 2026 World Cup approaches in the United States, questions about inclusion and human rights are looming large. For Dr. Nasir Mohamed, who fled state-sanctioned persecution and is the first person from Qatar to publicly come out as gay, the event is more than just a sporting spectacle, it’s a moment that shines a spotlight on how LGBTQ+ people are treated globally, including in the United States.
To protect his true self, Dr. Nas fled Qatar and sought asylum in the United States. Today, he shares his insights into what global sporting events can teach us about visibility, action, and human rights.
leave home and find the truth
Dr Nas said leaving Qatar was heartbreaking. “I chose to protect my true self and defected to the United States. With that decision, I cut off communication with my family, stopped eating all the holidays and meals I grew up with, and vowed to never see the memories of my childhood again,” he said.
He came out publicly after the country declared there was “no” person like him in Qatar during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “That’s right. Now I’m looking at the rest of us, and they’re looking at me,” he said.
Similarities between Qatar and the US
Dr. Nass draws connections between authoritarian tactics abroad and cultural patterns emerging in the United States
“This is an act of dehumanization, stripping away what makes someone human before inflicting suffering,” he said. “We’re seeing this in the prosecution of LGBTQ+ people around the world, and we’re starting to see traces of it in MAGA America.”
Although the United States allows civil rights movements to be carried out without fear of death, Dr. Nass emphasizes the importance of vigilance. “It’s magical thinking to believe that sport alone can bring about change without human action,” he says.
The power of visualizing sports
For Dr. Naz, visibility is the first step towards humanity. “It humanizes us. Many people witness their own truth for the first time through this visibility,” he said.
He explained that global sporting events are more than just games. “When the world comes together on a platform like the World Cup, everyone should have equal access. This is a measure of civil rights and recognition.”
Take action beyond institutions
Dr. Nass emphasizes that real change requires bold action from individuals and organizations. “Each human being owes the world the full truth. Institutions must support us, not silence us. Unfortunately, that balance is tipping.”
He also addressed critics who argue that sports and politics are separate: “The ship has officially sailed. The World Cup is the biggest event in politics and sports. To exclude politics would be an authoritarian imperative to ignore the truth.”
Lessons for America and the World
Dr. Naz points to international initiatives like London’s 2022 KICK OUT, which amplified LGBTQ+ voices from Qatar. He hopes U.S. organizers will follow suit. “Don’t ‘de-icerate’ ethnic voices from LGBTQ+ conversations. Inclusion is universal,” he said.
He hopes his story inspires others to speak out. “I want people to witness my truth and recognize the pain, heartbreak and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community around the world. Sports is about belonging. No one is less than human.”
Dr. Nas Mohamed’s message is clear. A global platform like the World Cup allows us to showcase not only athletic ability, but also our universal rights as human beings. For the LGBTQ+ community, visibility, advocacy, and human behavior are inseparable from the game itself.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
