LONDON (AP) -- FIFA came under pressure from sponsors Coca-Cola and Visa on Wednesday to ensure Qatar improves conditions for migrant workers as the country rapidly expands to host the 2022 World Cup.
The calls from high-profile commercial backers of soccer's flagship tournament come amid ongoing concerns from rights groups over labor laws and living conditions for workers.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter also told Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a visit to Doha in March that the Gulf nation must do more to improve guest workers' lives.
The statement from credit card company Visa is the strongest public expression of unease yet from a FIFA sponsor about the plight of workers in the tiny oil and natural gas-rich country.