Faeser, whose portfolio includes sport, made the announcement after a conference of the 16 state sports ministers in Hamburg.

Qatar has been under fire over human rights violations, mainly in connection with the treatment of migrant workers, in the run-up to the November 21-December 18 tournament for which Germany is qualified.

Improvements have been made but rights groups have said that more needs to be done.

Faeser said it would be important to see whether these improvements are really taking place and added: “I consider such a process essential.”

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck visited Qatar last month with talks including a long-term energy partnership as Germany aims to be less dependant on Russian gas in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Faeser said that every event must be treated on its own, and she also pointed out that Qatar is helping Germany fly its former local forces out of Afghanistan after the Taliban regained power there.

“In that respect we have a, carefully worded, cooperation,” Faeser said.

Several countries led by the United States and Britain had staged a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, citing human rights violations in China.

Germany and China had also sent no government officials but stopped short of calling it a boycott.