The Football Association says that its chairman Greg Clarke has raised the issue of migrant workers’ rights with the Qatar authorities after the governing body signed a memorandum of understanding with 2022 World Cup hosts, who have been accused of widespread abuses.

Clarke is on a global charm offensive for the FA aimed at building bridges with the international football community, which included the agreement with the Qatar football association and its 2022 organising committee despite condemnation of the treatment of migrant labourers in the Gulf state.

It is understood that on Thursday, Clarke raised the issue of human rights, staff welfare and safety in a meeting with the member of the Supreme Committee for delivery and legacy with a responsibility for safety. The British ambassador to Qatar, Ajay Sharma, was also present. There were no further details forthcoming although the FA believes that progress is being made in that area.

The 2022 World Cup finals will be played across eight stadiums and while details are sketchy on the number of migrant workers it is thought from figures released by Qatar in 2016 the number working on the stadia will be around 36,000. Many more are working on the infrastructure needed for the tournament including highways and sewerage and the construction from scratch of Lusail City where the World Cup opening ceremony and final will take place.