For the first time ever, the Middle East will host the FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious football tournament in the world, with Qatar serving as the host. The country is one of the Middle East’s crown jewels, now home to futuristic stadiums and luxurious venues that will hold a month-long carnival that kicks in November 2022.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is an event worth watching for a variety of reasons. Here are a few interesting facts that fans of the sports will surely find fascinating:
It’s The First-Ever Fifa Winter World Cup.
Since Qatar is nestled in the Middle East, it experiences soaring temperatures, especially during summers when temperatures go as high as 50 degrees Celsius. As a result of the extreme weather conditions, the FIFA World Cup has been shifted from its customary summer slot to the winter. The World Cup 2022’s key dates fall between November 21, 2022, and ends on December 18, 2022, with the final match scheduled for that day, thus making the 22nd edition of the tournament the first-ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere.
Air-Conditioned Stadiums.
Qatar is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to football fans coming to see the mega event. Since the nation experiences high daytime temperatures even during winter, the host nation has equipped all eight stadiums with centralized air-conditioning to ensure a comfortable experience for players and spectators.
The Costliest World Cup To Date.
The massive amount of money Qatar is investing in preparations for the upcoming world cup is another intriguing fact about the event. An estimated $200 billion has been spent on infrastructure projects, including the construction of eight space-age stadiums, extensive highways, and opulent hotels. No wonder it’s the most expensive world cup in the history of the game.
First World Cup Hosted In The Middle East.
Qatar won the 2010 Sepp Blatter-awarded bid to host the tournament by defeating the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. As a result, the FIFA World Cup is being held for the first time in the Middle East.
Availability Of Alcohol At Fan Zones.
Despite the fact that the country’s laws prohibit the sale of alcohol, FIFA World Cup organizers and local officials in Qatar have agreed to a protocol that enables beer to be offered in stadiums and fan zones. Elaborate fan zones will be set up all over the nation, where alcohol will be sold at discounted prices enabling spectators to enjoy the live action right from the comfort of the well-equipped and luxurious venues.
6 Countries Made It From The Asian Football Confederation.
Six teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in the event’s history. While Qatar had already qualified as the tournament’s host, Iran, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, and Japan advanced through the AFC World Cup qualifiers. Australia defeated Peru on penalties in the intercontinental play-off, raising the total number of countries from AFC to six. Korea Republic takes on Uruguay on November 24 in the Group H match, and according to online betting in Australia, the team led by Son Heung-min is among the favourites to advance past the group stages.
An Influx Of Visitors To Qatar.
Due to Qatar’s strategic location, which puts it in close proximity to most countries, and the nation’s reputation for world-class hospitality and tourism, a record number of visitors are anticipated to arrive from all over the world once the FIFA World Cup 2022 kicks off. Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport have developed a detailed plan to work closely in operation to welcome an expected 1300 flights that will arrive in Qatar each day.
