What a World Cup at Christmas feels like as England prepare for knockout tie

It could not feel less like Christmas.

The only evidence that it's the start of the festive season is the chocolate advent calendar that my daughters gave me. There's literally nothing here. No trees, no decorations and, for someone who likes Christmas, it's absolutely breaking my heart!

But down on the Souk Al Wakrah you do feel you're in another part of the world with the sea, beach front and promenade. Restaurants, coffee shops and certainly no beer available (like there is in so many big city hotels).

But there was an Islam information centre just to give a bit of cultural advice and history to the many fans that pass through. And you know what? It had a very regular stream of people visiting and asking at this point which was done as an official World Cup stand.

There's definitely a different feel to people at this World Cup because, during the day, it's a coffee shop mentality with people so well behaved, taking in the sights and mingling.

And then by night lots of fans are having a drink, getting beers and watching in hotels or bars with no problem at all. We shouldn't impose our culture on others nor should we expect them to completely follow ours.

So, I'm not outraged by the different attitude to booze and, while the Christmas thing makes me a little sad, we'll live. And I'm told we can find a Christmas tree in the local supermarket so I'll definitely try to get hold of that later!

Bearing in mind the way migrant workers are treated here, so many of them are so nice. From the people at our apartment block to having a laugh and being so helpful.

As this tournament has gone on, I've been intrigued to see some people mix the fact that the football and World Cup is good and therefore legitimises in some way the way migrant workers have been treated but also human rights, particularly for the LGBTQ community.

I'm not sure the whole progress argument works. It hasn't changed things in South Africa, Brazil or Russia. And unless there's lasting change here, then it's not worked. And no-one should be naïve enough just to accept a promise that it will.

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