The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Everything You Need to Know
Qatar was selected as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December 2010, and will be the first Arab state to ever hold the tournament. Given that Qatar’s population is only 2 million people, it might seem weird that it got selected to host such an important global event. However, from an infrastructure point of view, Qatar does have all the necessary elements to organize one of the largest sporting events on earth. Here are some basic facts about the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, including Qatar’s city that will host games and everything else you need to know!
When and Where Is the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Despite its misgivings, Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 22nd, 2020 until December 18th, 2020. Matches will be played at eight stadiums located throughout the country. The final will take place on December 18th at the Lusail Stadium outside Doha. The first match of the tournament will be held on November 22nd at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. In total there will be 64 matches across 12 venues. As per tradition, it’s expected that Europe and Asia will get 13 berths each with Africa receiving 8, North America 6 and South America 4.
How Many Teams Will Play in the Tournament?
There will be 32 teams participating in the tournament. They will be divided into eight groups of four, and each team will play three games against the other three teams in their group. The top two teams from each group will then advance to a single-elimination knockout stage, with the final game being played at the same venue as the opening match. The winner of the final will be crowned world champions.
Who Is Hosting the Tournament?
Qatar was chosen as the host nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The decision was made by a vote of the Executive Committee on December 2nd, 2010. They had beaten bids from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States. It will be the first time that a Middle Eastern country has hosted an event like this. There is also some controversy because Qatar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Critics say that they are not prepared to hold such a big sporting event
How Many Stadiums Will Be Used?
There will be eight stadiums used for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Six of the stadiums are new, while two were renovated. The six new stadiums include Al Thumama (Qatar's first purpose-built football stadium), Al Wakrah, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Khor Stadium and Lusail Stadium. Both Khalifa International Stadium in Doha and the Estadio de Beira-Rio have been completely rebuilt with a capacity that can seat up to 78,000 spectators.
Qatar is using innovative cooling technology that relies on natural ventilation methods like wind towers that provide cool air without using any electricity or fossil fuels to power them.
What Happened to the Controversy Surrounding the Tournament?
Controversy surrounding the tournament arose when an investigation was conducted into the bidding process for hosting rights to the event. The investigation showed that individuals close to the Qatari royal family made payments totaling $2 million, as well as other forms of bribery, in order to secure their country's position as host. However, after a lengthy and thorough investigation, Qatar was cleared of any wrongdoing and reinstated as host. Some have argued that Qatar’s use of artificial climate control is unfair to participating teams; others argue that it will be easier for fans living in Qatar (Qatar has the highest population density on Earth) to travel around the country without worrying about weather conditions.
Who Won the Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
It was announced on Wednesday, June 13th, 2018 that the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision was made by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Canada, Mexico and the US beat out other countries like Morocco and a potential European-Africa bid for this opportunity. There will be 16 host cities for this event which is less than what we’ve seen before with previous world cups but with newer technologies it should not be as much of a problem. Countries such as England have voiced their concerns about the bidding process stating that they were left out due to unfair rules set forth by FIFA that favoured those countries without enough existing infrastructure or teams to qualify for the tournament themselves. One of the most interesting aspects of this new location is that there are many muslim players who would be able to play in the tournament without restrictions unlike in past years. What does this mean for the sport? We'll have to wait until September 2020 when the draw takes place!
