In a video message produced by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and released Wednesday, 16 Socceroos called on Qatar to recognize same-sex relationships and improve the rights of migrant workers.
The PFA also released an open letter to Qatar expressing need for reform.
“No country is perfect, and every country – hosts of major events or not – has its challenges,” the spokesperson said.
The report – “categorically” denied by tournament organizers – did not connect all 6,500 deaths with World Cup infrastructure projects and has not been independently verified by CNN.
The World Cup kicks off on November 20 and runs through to the final on December 18.