In a strong statement following a GCC meeting in Riyadh, Qatar’s neighbors affirmed their full support for the tournament, which would be the first World Cup hosted in the Middle East.

“The ministerial council has expressed great condemnation of the hateful campaign that is trying to discredit the merit of Qatar in hosting the 2022 World Cup,” read the statement.

“It has insisted that the GCC countries stand with Qatar in solidarity and with full support to the hosting of this International sporting event, a hosting that Qatar has won with great merit and through an honest competition as testified by everybody.”

Thursday’s statement from the GCC followed a call 24 hours earlier for media in the region to “counter” criticism of the 2022 tournament.

GCC Information ministers’ meeting in Doha urged media to “counter all those who seek to question the right of the State of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.”