Former Reading attacker Hal Robson-Kanu has spoken out on the impact the 2022 World Cup can have, with football taking a backseat.
The former Wales international, famed for his goal against Belgium in Euro 2016 to take his country to the semi-finals, played over 200 times for Reading and a further 150 for West Brom.
Currently without a club, the 33-year-old is part of ITV's punditry team in Qatar for the World Cup.
Issues such as alcohol, homosexuality and human rights are all talking points, with controversy around every corner since the Arab nation were awarded the tournament in 2010.
— Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu (@RobsonKanu) November 21, 2022
Speaking live on ITV, the 2012 Championship winner gave his view on the yesterday, believing it can be a 'pivotal moment' in history.
"The issues that are rising here, and the talking points, have nothing to do with football," he started. "And so, the reality is that this is a World Cup, the biggest global competition in the world, and entering into the competition there has been very little discussion in terms of the actual football taking place. Rightly so because there are more significant issues at stake.
"This could be a pivotal moment in our society in that we can really begin to effect change. The only positive thing that can come out of this World Cup is that: change and awareness."
On the field, his country picked up a valuable point against USA in Wales' first World Cup since 1958.
They face Iran on Friday before the Battle of Britain against England next week.
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