As the 2026 World Cup approaches in the United States, questions about inclusion and human rights loom large. For Dr. Nasir Mohammed, the first person to publicly come out as gay from Qatar after fleeing state-sanctioned persecution, the upcoming event is more than a sports spectacle, it’s a moment to spotlight how LGBTQ+ people are treated globally, including in the U.S.
Dr. Nas fled Qatar to protect his true self, seeking asylum in the United States. Today, he shares his insights on what global sporting events can teach us about visibility, action, and human rights.
Leaving Home, Finding Truth
Dr. Nas described leaving Qatar as heartbreaking. “I chose to protect my true self and took asylum in the United States. In that decision, I committed to no communication with my family, no more holidays or meals I grew up with, and never seeing my childhood memories again,” he said.
He publicly came out in 2022 during the Qatar World Cup after the state declared that someone like him “does not exist” in Qatar. “I do. Now I see the rest of us, and they see me too,” he said.
Parallels Between Qatar and the U.S.
Dr. Nas draws connections between authoritarian tactics abroad and cultural patterns emerging in the U.S.
“It is the practice of dehumanizing: stripping a human of what makes them human before inflicting pain,” he said. “This shows up in the prosecution of LGBTQ+ people globally, and I am beginning to see traces of it in MAGA’s America.”
While the U.S. allows civil rights advocacy without fear of death, Dr. Nas stresses the importance of vigilance. “Believing sports alone will bring change without human action is magical thinking,” he said.
The Power of Sports Visibility
For Dr. Nas, visibility is a first step toward humanity. “It humanizes us. Many people witness their own truth for the first time through this visibility,” he said.
Global sporting events, he explained, are more than games. “When the world gathers on a platform like the World Cup, all humans should have the same access. It’s a measure of civil rights and recognition.”
Taking Action Beyond Institutions
Dr. Nas emphasizes that real change requires individuals and organizations to act boldly. “Each human owes the world their full truth. Institutions must platform us without silencing us. Unfortunately, that balance is fading.”
He also addressed critics who insist sports and politics be separate: “That ship has officially sailed. The World Cup is the biggest political and sports event. Leaving politics out would be an authoritarian command to ignore truth.”
Lessons for the U.S. and the World
Dr. Nas points to international efforts like London’s 2022 “KICK OUT,” which amplified LGBTQ+ voices from Qatar. He hopes U.S. organizers will follow suit. “Do not ‘ICE out’ ethnic voices from the LGBTQ+ conversation. Inclusion is universal,” he said.
He hopes his story encourages others to speak out. “I want people to witness my truth and recognize the pain, heartbreak, and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community globally. Sports is about belonging—no human is less human.”
Dr. Nas Mohammed’s message is clear: global platforms like the World Cup can showcase not just athletic talent, but the universal right to be human. For LGBTQ+ communities, visibility, advocacy, and human action are inseparable from the game itself.
