Sunderland and Australia’s Bailey Wright says we’ve all got a responsibility to highlight issues in Qatar

Wright, 30, has been named in Australia’s 26-man squad for the tournament, which starts later this month, and was part of a collective statement put out by the Socceroos’ squad criticising Qatar’s human rights record.

In a video which included 16 Australia players, the squad spoke out about Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.

The video acknowledged that conditions have improved in the Gulf state after the dismantling of the kafala system, which allowed employers to take workers’ passports and stop them from leaving the country.

Still, the Australia squad highlighted that reforms “remain inconsistent and require improvement”.

When asked about the statement Australia put out, Wright told the Echo: “I think it was really important that we put out the statement that we did.

“Us as a nation have played a lot of our qualifiers in Qatar and we’ve got to really work with a lot of the groups and understand what’s been happening there.

“Whilst there has been a lot of reforms and things put in place to improve the conditions in multiple different areas, I think the statement says everything.

“We acknowledge that work has been done and there is still a lot to be done and a lot can be improved. We can be a voice for those that maybe haven’t got a voice.

“I think it’s important. Some people say stick to football, I think we’ve all got a responsibility to leave the world, our job, whatever we do, leave it in a better place and try to pass the baton on to the next generation that it’s improved.

“Regardless of what aspect of life it is, I think we all have a role to play and the statement really says it all.”

Australia will face France in their first match of the tournament on Tuesday, November 22, before fixtures against Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.

The 2022 World Cup will start on Sunday, November 20 when hosts Qatar face Ecuador in Group A.