QATAR WORLD CUP 2022
The Qatar World Cup 2022 kicks off in just a number of months and all eyes will be on the Gulf Coast state for one of the biggest spectacles in sport.
Reigning champions France will be hoping to be just the third country in history to win back-to-back World Cup trophies (after Italy and Brazil), with Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and co all hoping to light up the international tournament once again.
There will be a huge challenge from the likes of Brazil, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, The Netherlands and more – which is what makes the tournament so beautiful.
Qatar World Cup Controversy
While there has been much controversy surrounding the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar, with multiple changes being made to the tournament. The first-ever tournament in the Middle East is going to be played in the winter months for the first time in history due to the soaring temperatures in the summer months.
This means the competition is being played right in the middle of some of the major soccerl leagues in the world for the first time, with the English Premier League and other top European leagues having a mid-season break to accommodate the World Cup finals.
And these aren’t the only controversies – there have been some allegations that the Qatari bid for the World Cup back in 2010 was an attempt at ‘sportswashing,’ when countries with questions over their human rights record attempt to mask any issues by hosting huge global events.
Qatar World Cup Stadiums
One such controversy has been aimed at Qatar over the construction of their stadiums, with many wondering whether the country would even be ready to host the tournament in time.
There had been some allegations made over the treatment of construction workers in the country, too, with some suggestions that unsafe working environments were putting workers at risk – though the Qatar state has dismissed these claims.
Nevertheless, the stadiums are built and the stage is set for the biggest tournament in world soccer to take place in November and December.
There are 8 stadiums in total that are being utilised for the World Cup.
LUSAIL STADIUM
The Lusail Iconic Stadium, also known as Lusail Stadium, is the flagship venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
AL BAYT STADIUM
Al Bayt Stadium is a 60,000-seat sporting venue located in the northern city of Al Khor, Qatar.
AL JANOUB STADIUM
The Al Janoub Stadium, also known as Al Wakrah Stadium, opened in mid 2019 and will serve as one of the eight game venues for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
AL RAYYAN STADIUM
The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located in Al Rayyan, one of Qatar’s most historic cities, and is home to the hugely popular football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club.
KHALIFA INTL STADIUM
The Khalifa International Stadium is an iconic sports venue in Qatar, which was initially built for the 1976 Gulf Cup, and has been listed as one of the eight Qatar World Cup 2022 playing venues.
EDUCATION CITY STADIUM
The Education City Stadium, also known as Qatar Foundations Stadium is one of the 8 stadiums dedicated to the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
RAS ABU
ABOUD STADIUM
Stadium 974, previously known as Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, is one of the 6 new stadiums being built for the World Cup.
AL THUMAMA STADIUM
The Al Thumama Stadium is one of the newly-built Qatar World Cup 2022 venues.
FAQs
The World Cup kicks off when Senegal face the Netherlands on 21 November 2022, with the hosts Qatar playing their first game on the same day.
The World Cup is always a hotly contested tournament, with multiple potential winners, but only 8 teams have ever won the trophy – Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and England. Could this year see a first-time victor?
With the World Cup being played in Qatar, the temperatures in the summer months was deemed too dangerous to host soccer matches, so the decision was made to host the tournament in November and December – right in the middle of some of the most famous leagues in the world.