Inside Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup
Every four years football fans tune in to the FIFA World Cup to watch national teams battle it out for the title of world champions - but that's not the only intriguing part of the tournament. Sports fans and officials reporting on the events also spend time watching broadcasts about the country hosting the tournament.
Nations who play gracious host won't be forgotten easily, either. The 1966 World Cup, hosted in England, was unforgettable because of the rousing crowds of locals and visitors from across Europe. Just over a decade ago, South Africa also won the hearts of many after becoming the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup (2010). Even better, the South African national team scored the tournament's opening goal.
Following FIFA's amazing World Cup run in Brazil in 2014, Russia hosted the tournament in 2018. There, officials spread out the competition in eleven different cities and twelve different stadiums and arenas. Now that qualifying matches are underway for the upcoming 2022 FIFA run in Qatar, interest in the tournament is piquing worldwide, drawing interest on the stadiums, the environment, and, of course, the teams themselves.
Though fans will have to wait for sportsbooks to release their FIFA 2022 World Cup odds, the upcoming tournament is set to be one of the most competitive to date. Without any clear favorites at the moment, pundits who offer betting advice on a range of sports are still studying qualifying matches around the world, including the AFC and CONCACAF.
The AFC has rising powers in South Korea, Japan, and Iran, while CONCACAF analysts have shifted to focus on Mexico's rising power. However, it's the UEFA Qualifiers that experts study in-depth, attempting to gauge Europe's readiness.
Lucky for the Qatar national team, they qualify without having to batter through the AFC. As the countdown to the November 21 2021 begins, let's take a closer look at the logistics behind the next FIFA World Cup.
The First World Cup in the Middle East
Not only is the upcoming World Cup going to be the first hosted in the Middle East, but it will also qualify as the second time an Asian country has hosted the tournament (the first being cohosted by Japan and South Korea in 2002).
Not only does this highlight part of FIFA's goals, to unify the world's nations through a competition, but it also puts a spotlight on the region. Nearby, the UAE has turned Dubai into one of the world's most exclusive tourist destinations - but that doesn't mean much is known about Qatar.
Since 2014, the nation has been updating existing sporting facilities and creating new stadiums that will mitigate the desert heat for players. The country has also undertaken eco-friendly construction practices to lessen the environmental footprint of preparations and hosting responsibilities.
The capital city, Doha, is home to some 2.5 million people and will provide a majority of the country's accommodations. However, games will also be hosted in Dakhira, Al Wakrah, Al Daayen, and Al Rayyan. In total, there will be eight stadiums prepared to host teams and thousands of spectators.
More Than Soccer on the Docket
Though there will be eight stadiums in five cities hosting FIFA World Cup games, those traveling to Qatar won't be hamstrung to choose which matches to see. From its longest diameter, the country takes only two hours to traverse.
For this reason, travelers heading to the Middle Eastern country are in luck. Unlike the Russian or Brazilian tournaments of 2018 and 2014, the competition won't be spread across large stretches.
Even better, there are already World Cup packages available that take the headache out of planning.
Those on a budget aren't out of luck, either. There's plenty to do for those who are only able to attend one game on a limited schedule.
Qatar has a central location in the Middle East, which means it has culinary and cultural influences from all around the region. There are also plenty of excursions available, including resort trips, beaches, water sports, and even historical sites (including a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah).