The Australian government has used a visit to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup to engage in what is has described as "honest, humble, and frank" discussions with Qatari government officials.

Ahead of the Socceroos opening game with France on Tuesday local time, Sports Minister Anika Wells met with Qatar's Deputy Foreign Minister, Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater.

"Beyond supporting the Socceroos, we need to show up and take our seat at the table again," Ms Wells told the ABC.

"It's important to show up and have the discussions."

Officials in Qatar are known to be frustrated by what they describe as a "relentless" campaign of negativity around their hosting of the biggest single sports event in the world.

Headlines about migrant worker deaths and other human rights conditions persist despite many substantial changes in the country, which is now credited with setting a regional standard by agencies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Ms Wells said there were lessons from Qatar for Australia as it prepared to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Source: ABC News