Qatar 2022…

It began almost a decade ago as the most unlikely bid to host a World Cup: an outrageous proposal for "air-conditioned" stages in the summer "hell" of a small, state-sized emirate. But Qatar is the richest country per capita on earth and in December 2010 its offer managed to convince FIFA members and turn the eyes of the world on it.

2022 winter with ball

November 21, 2022, cross in the World Cup! Qatar has withstood the φ hurricane of challenges and says it is ready for the biggest football date on the planet. Many billions, incredible pitches, but also. Restrictions. In four years, the football world will wait for the cross of the World Cup in Qatar! Winter of 2022 with a ball in an Arab country and something that looked… crazy, now seems normal.

Since then, the scheduled hosting of the tournament in Qatar has survived a hurricane of challenges. There have been waves of allegations of corruption, which the secretary general of the World Cup 's top committee, Hassan al-Tawadi, has repeatedly denied. FIFA's intensive voting investigation did not show that Qatar's bid was more irregular than Australia's - or England's - 2018 bid, and the FBI's criminal investigation yielded nothing tangible against Qatar.

From 32 to 48 groups

There has been international condemnation of the Qatari regime for migrant workers, which is now part of a government-led reform process in cooperation with the International Labor Organization. Last June, political hostilities broke out in the immediate region and Qatar remains subject to real blockade by its much larger, threatening neighbor, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. However, preparations inside the country continue almost unaffected and now Qatar may rule out the early attempt of FIFA President Gianni Infantino to extend the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. The calendar has changed and the World Cup will be held in Winter. Unbelievable as it may seem, in four years, on November 21, 2022, the World Cup will really start in Qatar, in one of the seven new, all air-conditioned stadiums. In fact, the 80.000 seats in the newly built Doha district of Lusail, will be the stadium that will host the final on December 18.

It is a country that is growing rapidly beyond imagination due to the pioneering exploitation of liquefied natural gas, but also the tremendous investments in every corner of the globe. The official budget for the organization of the World Cup is between 8-10 billion pounds, although all this plan is supported by the $ 200 billion spent in general for a new metro system and more. This new country will probably become the most modern in the world. Of the eight stages, perhaps the most impressive is the 60.000-seat Al Bayt, located in a small desert 20 miles north of Doha. "We are moving forward with our current plans. Our preparations are for the World Cup of 32 teams, with eight pitches. "The work is going very well," said Hassan al-Tawadi, head of the organizing committee on the 37th floor of Tower Al Bidda.

Infantino's intervention was prompted in part by the idea that the exchange of matches would somewhat facilitate relations between Qatar and the warring countries. The enlarged scheme was agreed for 2026, but the final decision has not yet been made. The Qataris could have insisted on the contract for 32 teams, but agreed to discuss the prospects. Tawadi is taking a diplomatic stance, but there is no enthusiasm to share the World Cup, at least with Saudi Arabia. Of course, he does not put forward the hostile relations that exist, but also the issue of human rights, but his concern for stadiums, accommodation and sports centers.

Alcohol is forbidden in public

Qatar is preparing hard despite significant obstacles, but it is difficult to predict what the future 1,5 million fans will do in 2022 with their free time. Apart from the Corniche, the Souq Waqif and a few cultural centers, Doha's list of tourist attractions is limited to… shopping malls. The attraction of a World Cup in the Middle East is unquestionable, but Qatar is so newly built, its scenery and infrastructure could feel artificial! It is a conservative Muslim country, where homosexuality is illegal and clothing for women must be conservative. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in public, it is allowed only in licensed bars and hotels.

But Tawadi asks for confidence. He's talking about a "solid" World Cup, where the stadiums are nearby, which was not the case in Brazil and Russia. The 60.000 rooms requested by FIFA will be complemented by accommodation on cruise ships and special campsites in the desert. "We are a relatively conservative society and public manifestations of love are not part of our culture. But we believe in mutual respect. Everyone will be welcome to 2022, regardless of their race, history, religion, gender or orientation. All we expect is the return of all our visitors to respect our culture and traditions. "

The chairman of the organizing committee puts an end to the British hopes and not only for alcohol. "Alcohol will not be available in public places out of respect for our culture and traditions." What does it say to attract people? "The weather will be fantastic. Sun, sand, beaches… We add the experience of the desert… an amazing, magical experience ". The countdown has begun…

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