England's Leah Williamson hasn't 'got any interest' in Qatar World Cup

England women's national team captain Leah Williamson has become the latest noteworthy footballer to speak out against the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.

"It's a shame that we are heading into what should be the greatest show on earth with this huge shadow over the top of it," Williamson recently told BBC Sport. "And I don't know quite how we got here, if I'm honest. I'm disappointed and I think it is a shame as growing up, watching the World Cup was one of the things that brought everybody together."

This year's World Cup has long been seen as an opportunity for Qatar to allegedly "sportswash" its questioned human rights record. 

Reuters noted that World Cup ambassador and former Qatari international Khalid Salman referred to homosexuality as "damage in the mind" even as World Cup organizers have insisted everyone is welcome to visit the nation for football's biggest international party. 

On Nov. 6, ESPN mentioned that "independent reports state that the number of deaths among migrant workers could be as high as 6,500" as it pertains to preparing for the World Cup. 

"I think there's times when it will be appropriate to make sure that this doesn't happen again and be a force for change," Williamson added during her comments. "I'll support the boys but I haven't got any interest in it as a fan really this year, which is sad." 

Per ESPN, England and Arsenal star Beth Mead declared earlier this month the Qatar World Cup is "not something I will be backing or promoting at all." Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen pulled out of her BBC Radio 5 Live World Cup duties. 

"I think in the build-up to the tournament over the last couple of weeks there's been a lot said, I've read a lot, and I've made the decision myself not to be involved in the tournament in any capacity," Christiansen explained about that decision while speaking with BBC Radio Merseyside. "I'm not comfortable with the conditions in Qatar and they certainly don't ally with things we endorse in the Women's Super League. We've come off the back of Rainbow Laces month, I've worn an armband with the Rainbow Laces flag on it, for me I'm not comfortable endorsing or broadcasting on the tournament.

"I'm not comfortable broadcasting on an event which has so many poor examples of human rights, laws, and practices over in Qatar, so it's been a pretty easy decision." 

World Cup matches get underway on Sunday.