Germany protested Qatar’s human rights record ahead of their World Cup qualifying clash with Iceland on Thursday.

The display represented a stand against the 2022 World Cup hosts’ alleged violations against migrants in the Gulf nation. It has been reported that thousands of migrant workers have died during the construction of stadiums in Qatar in recent years.

The Germany players lined up in T-shirts that spelled out “human rights” ahead of kick-off in their first match of the qualifying campaign.

The demonstration follows a similar one made by the Norway team, who wore shirts bearing the message “Human rights on and off the pitch” before they faced Gibraltar on Wednesday evening.

Norway coach Staale Solbakken said the protest was an attempt to put “pressure on Fifa to be even more direct, even firmer with the authorities in Qatar, to impose stricter requirements.”The Netherlands soccer team also will protest ahead of their qualifier against Latvia in Amsterdam on Saturday, defender Matthijs de Ligt said. However, the Juventus player would give no further details on the planned protest, he told a pre-match news conference.

“I can give a scoop,” De Ligt said, referring to the planned protest. “You will see what it is tomorrow.” De Ligt said the Netherlands players had also made a decision to display their concern.

“We have talked about it for a long time, it is a sensitive subject but I think it is clear what our opinion is,” added the centre back.

Stroll in the park

Germany made light work of their opening qualifier as goals from Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gundogan secured a 3-0 home win over Iceland in Group J on Thursday. Goretzka and Havertz fired the Germans into a 2-0 lead inside the opening seven minutes before Gundogan sealed victory with a low shot from 25 metres in the 56th.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, who is stepping down after this year’s European Championship, was pleased with his team’s start.

Eighteen-year old midfielder Jamal Musiala, who played for England’s Under-21 side, won his first international cap at senior level after coming on for Havertz in the 79th minute.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the only goal for Viktor Claesson as Sweden beat Georgia 1-0 on his return to international football in their opening Group B qualifier.

Spain held

Spain struggled to create clear-cut chances as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Greece in a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign.

Spain opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Alvaro Morata latched on to a lofted Koke through ball to fire in from close range and put them firmly in charge of the game. However, shortly before the hour mark, Anastasios Bakasetas smashed the ball in from the spot to level the scores.

Italy registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Group C.

England kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of San Marino as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice and Ollie Watkins marked his debut with a goal.