FIRST FIFA WORLD CUP IN THE MIDDLE EAST – HOW WILL IT TURN OUT TO BE?
First time ever in the history of football the tournament is taking place in Qatar as it somehow managed to win the rights of FIFA World Cup’22 by defeating USA, Japan, Australia and South Korea. An article stated that Qatar has almost spent 200million Dollar in the bid in monitory terms which was followed by Australia on the second highest bid by 42.7million dollar. Being First Arab nation to be hosting FIFA World Cup. Qatar has built seven Stadiums for the World Cup, 100+ new hotels, new roads, new metro and Entire new city to celebrate the final match of FIFA World Cup on December’22. Being in the middle-east, Qatar suffers high temperatures during May, June and July due to which first time the tournament is shifted in mid-November to mid-December. The bidding technique for Qatar has been difficult with corruption investigations, whilst the kingdom has been criticized over employee abuses.
Why World Cup is being Organized in Winters this time?
Every tournament prior to Qatar have been organized in summer itself. Qatar being the country in the middle-east, it suffers high heat in summers where the average temperature varies from 35-45’C for which the world cup was rescheduled in winters. This is causing issues at domestic tournaments that are organized in winters in Europe and as of now they have to pause the tournament due to world cup. The Premier League announced that they’ll adjust the dates according to the world cup’22. The league will pause one week prior to the Opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup’22 and will resume almost after eight days after the final match, probably the day after Christmas. MLS has also shifted it’s schedule looking up for World Cup ahead. Still, the climate in Qatar will be moderate, varying between 22-25’C.
Where is the Location of the Host Team and its’ background?
Qatar is a small country located on the border of Saudi Arabia in Asia. Qatar holds one of the strong economic backgrounds due to natural gas reserves and oil reserves. Qatar is in controversial statements for being the first Muslim country to be hosting the FIFA World Cup’22 from the Arab World. Previously, Qatar hosted the Asian Games in 2006 and will be hosting it again in 2030.
Seven stadiums in Qatar for FIFA World Cup’22.
Education City Stadium
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A football stadium is located in Al Rayyan, Qatar which has a capacity of 25,000 seats and was inaugurated on September’22 by hosting its first official match played in Qatar’s Stars league.
Stadium 974
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Formally known as Ras Abu Aboud stadium, it is located in the capital of Qatar- Doha. It was inaugurated on November’21. It is renamed after 974 as it is a temporary venue which is made up of 974 shipping containers. After FIFA”22 it will be dismantled. It is the first temporary stadium to be used in FIFA’22.
Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium
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It is also located in Al Rayyan, and is also known as Al Rayyan Stadium. It is mostly used in Qatar and home to two sports club; Al Rayyan sports club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club. Initially, it was built in 2003 with a seating capacity of 21,282 and later it was demolished in 2015 in which it had a seating capacity of 44,740.
Khalifa Internationl Stadium
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It is the national stadium of Qatar, which is purposely multi-used and located in Doha. It is named after Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s former Emperor. The final match of AFC Asian Cup was held in this stadium back in 2011. It has a capacity of 45,416 people.
Al Janoub Stadium
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It is also known as Al Wakrah Stadium which is located in Al-Wakrah and was inaugurated on May’19. It was designed by Iraqi Architect for an American infrastructural company. It holds 40,000 seats, which will be deducted to half after the World Cup.
Al Bayt Stadium
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It is located in Al Khor and is to be opened in November22 to start of the World Cup. It has a capacity of 60,000 seats.
Al Thumama stadium
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It is designed as a cap, generally worn by Muslim men and boys, which symbolizes sovereignty and nobility.
Restrictions to be followed by Fans Travelling to FIFA World Cup’22
Being a Muslim country, there are a lot more laws that need to be adhered to while travelling to Qatar. Homosexuality and alcohol are two prime crimes that one could do during the World Cup. Homosexuality and drinking alcohol are both restricted in Islamic countries. But while having the FIFA, Qatar mentioned “Everyone is welcomed” and the eight stadiums will be displaying the rainbow flags where as if we talk about drinking alcohol in public places has still No Tolerance. But, alcohol will be sold in some parts of the stadium and FIFA fan zones.
