In an interview with Piers Morgan that aired on TalkTV on Monday, Al-Thawadi was requested concerning the variety of fatalities to migrant staff on account of the work executed within the match.
"The estimate is round 400, between 400 and 500," he mentioned.
"I haven't got the precise quantity, that is one thing that is been mentioned. One demise is simply too many, it is so simple as that."
Al-Thawadi added: "I feel yearly the well being and security requirements on the websites are enhancing, no less than on our websites, the World Cup websites, those that we're chargeable for, most positively."
In November 2022, a authorities official advised CNN there had been three work-related deaths on World Cup stadiums and 37 non-work-related deaths.
These figures have been reiterated by a spokesperson for Qatar's Supreme Committee for Supply and Legacy on Tuesday.
"Separate quotes concerning figures confer with nationwide statistics overlaying the interval of 2014-2020 for all work-related fatalities (414) nationwide in Qatar, overlaying all sectors and nationalities," the spokesperson mentioned, in an announcement.
The Guardian, in the meantime, reported final yr that 6500 South Asian migrant staff have died in Qatar because the nation was awarded the World Cup in 2010, most of whom have been concerned in low-wage, harmful labor, usually undertaken in excessive warmth.
The report didn't join all 6500 deaths with World Cup infrastructure tasks and has not been independently verified by CNN.
Final yr Al Thawadi — the person in control of main Qatar's preparations — disputed that determine and advised CNN's Becky Anderson that The Guardian's determine was a "sensational headline" which was deceptive and that the report lacked context.
In the meantime, a Qatari authorities official advised CNN final month: "The 6500 determine takes the variety of all overseas employee deaths within the nation over a 10-year interval and attributes it to the World Cup".
"This isn't true and neglects all different causes of demise together with sickness, outdated age and site visitors accidents," they mentioned.
"It additionally fails to recognise that solely 20 per cent of overseas staff in Qatar are employed on development websites."
In response to Amnesty Worldwide, migrant staff account for 90 per cent of Qatar's whole workforce.
Since Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010, many migrant staff have confronted delayed or unpaid wages, pressured labour, lengthy hours in sizzling climate, employer intimidation and an lack of ability to depart their jobs due to the nation's sponsorship system, human rights organisations have discovered.
Morgan questioned if the well being and security requirements have been ok initially of the mission.
"I feel general the necessity for labor reform itself dictates that, sure, enhancements should occur," Al-Thawadi responded.
"Simply so we're clear, this was one thing that was recognised earlier than we bid. The enhancements which have occurred aren't due to the World Cup. These are enhancements that we knew that we needed to do due to our personal values.
He mentioned the World Cup "served as a car, as an accelerator, as a catalyst due to the highlight which we recognised early".
"It precipitated plenty of these initiatives not solely by way of enchancment within the laws, however within the enforcement of it as properly," Al-Thawadi mentioned.
"And that is the place at the moment we acquired to a place the place our most ardent of critics think about us at the moment to be a benchmark within the area."
Futuristic metropolis constructed for Qatar World Cup seems seems to be desolate
Among the many modifications is the numerous alteration of the Kafala system, which provides firms and personal residents management over migrant staff' employment and immigration standing.
Forward of the World Cup, which started earlier this month and concludes on December 18, Qatar erected seven new stadiums, constructed new motels, and expanded the nation's airport, rail networks and highways.