Rod Stewart reveals he turned down over $1 million to play a concert in Qatar

14 November 2022, 16:20 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Rod Stewart)

Ahead of the 2022 World Cup starting in Qatar this weekend, Rod Stewart has revealed he declined over $1 million to play a concert in the country last year.

Over the weekend Dua Lipa shut down rumours that she would be performing at the World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony at the weekend, saying she looks forward "to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup."

Yesterday (13 November) Rod Stewart also revealed he declined an offer to play a concert in the country back in 2021 for similar reasons to The Sunday Times, saying, "I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1m, to play there 15 months ago. I turned it down. It’s not right to go. And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms."

The World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony will take place this Sunday (20 November) ahead of the first match between Qatar and Ecuador. BTS' Jungkook has been confirmed as a performer.