BERLIN - Real Madrid midfielder and German national team ToniKroos criticized the host country of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar, after several European teams protested about the conditions in the Emirate state. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Norway all protested wearing shirts that read "Human Rights" or "Football supports change" before World Cup qualifiers over the past week.

"I think giving the World Cup to Qatar is not a good thing for several reasons," said Kroos in his podcast 'Einfach mall Luppen' quoted from Firstpost , Sunday (4/4). "The first reason is the condition of the workers and also that it is not a football country."

The 31-year-old midfielder claims many Qatari workers as well as foreigners, working without rest, in temperatures that can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Because of this, they sometimes suffer from a lack of food or drinking water, which is madness in these temperatures.

"They have no medical protection and there has been some violence against workers. This is a point that is completely unacceptable," said Kroos.

Qatar has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, many of whom were involved in preparations for the 2022 World Cup, with campaigners accusing employers of exploitation and forcing workers to work in hazardous conditions.

The Qatari authorities insist it is doing more than any other country in the region to improve workers' welfare.