The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. If you’re a fan, you’re probably looking for as much information as possible so you can start preparing. On the other hand, if you’re just a casual soccer observer, you may be interested in finding out more about the biggest international soccer event in the world.
Don’t worry, provided below is all kinds of information you may need as a fan or a casual soccer observer regarding FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
No matter what you are or your interest level, it’s stacking up to be an exciting event.
1. What is the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament organized by FIFA, the international governing body for association football. Football in this context could also be called soccer, depending on what country you’re from.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is for men’s teams only, with the women’s teams competing in a separate event in 2023.
2. When is the next FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup happens every four years, with the next event happening in 2022. The event will start on November 21 and will be complete on December 18th.
3. When did the FIFA World Cup start?
FIFA organized the first World Cup in 1906 in Switzerland; however, it was considered a failure and is technically not considered the first World Cup. After that attempt, FIFA organized and ran the Olympic football tournaments.
The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Uruguay also won that year.
4. Which country is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022?
Qatar was chosen as the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting country in 2010. Thus, giving them 12 years to get ready. Twelve years may seem like a long time; however, Qatar has been busy building eight new stadiums for gameplay.
5. How was Qatar chosen as the host of the 2022 World Cup?
Qatar is a tiny yet extremely rich country and promoted their bid to FIFA to host the World Cup as a way to bridge the Arab world with the rest of the world through football.
Several factors played into their success. First, FIFA found the idea of a Monarchy better due to somebody having a quick say in all matters, rather than going through discussion and voting. In addition, having the World Cup in Qatar is an opportunity to grow football in the region, which is FIFA’s ultimate goal. Qatar also spent more money lobbying in the bid than any other country. At a minimum, they spent 200 million on the process.
6. How do you qualify for the FIFA World Cup?
The COVID pandemic has made qualifying even more difficult for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and many qualifying events were suspended.
All FIFA member associations will play against other teams within their respective regions. Each region has a set number of places that are allowed to attend the FIFA World Cup. Teams compete in tournaments, and the top teams in that region will progress to the World Cup.
The regions and number of slots in the FIFA World Cup are:
- AFC (Asia): 4 – 5
- CAF (Africa): 5
- CONCACAF (North and Central America, and the Caribbean): 3 – 4
- CONMEBOL (South America): 4 – 5
- OFC (Oceania): 0 – 1
- UEFA (Europe): 13
- Hosts: 1
7. Which countries will be competing in the FIFA World Cup in 2022?
Only teams that qualify and receive a slot from their region will be competing in the FIFA World Cup. Qualifying will not be complete until June 2022.
So far, the teams that have qualified are Germany and Denmark, and the host nation, Qatar.
8. Who are the reigning FIFA World Cup champions?
France is the reigning champion. They won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
9. What is it like in Qatar?
If you’re not very familiar with Qatar, you may consider it an extremely hot desert area. So what will Qatar be like in November 2022 when teams are trying to compete?
The high temperatures in Qatar during June – July, when the World Cup happens typically, is precisely why FIFA decided to move the 2022 competition to November – December when the temperatures are lower.
Qatar in November – December will still see temperatures around 80F or 26C.
10. What are the Qatar World Cup stadiums like?
Since winning the World Cup hosting duties, Qatar has been busy building seven stadiums specifically for the World Cup and fully renovating their existing stadium. One of the most interesting things is that Qatar has built the stadiums relatively close to each other, meaning fans have the chance of seeing more than one match a day at different stadiums.
- Lusail Stadium ~ Capacity: 80,000 ~ Located in Lusail
- Al Bayt Stadium ~ Capacity: 60,000 ~ Located in Al Khor
- Al Janoub Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Wakrah
- Education City Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Education City
- Al Rayyan Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Al Rayyan
- Khalifa Internation Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Doha
- Al Thumama Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Doha
- Ras Abu Aboud Stadium ~ Capacity: 40,000 ~ Located in Doha
11. Will the Qatar World Cup venues be air-conditioned?
With temperatures reaching 80F or 26C, or potentially higher, fans and players may wonder if there will be temperature control in the stadiums at all.
All stadiums will be temperature controlled through insulation and cold air pumped into specific areas where it is required. In addition, the design and size of stadiums have been used to stop warm air from outside entering the stadiums and heating them.
12. Do I need a visa for Qatar?
As a tourist to Qatar, you can most likely enter without a visa or fill out a short online application to receive a visa. Your visa will allow you to stay between 30 and 90 days.
United States passport holders will need to fill out a simple online visa application which will allow them to stay for 30 days.
13. Does Qatar have a team in the World Cup?
The host country always receives a spot in the World Cup, so they instantly got a place when Qatar won the bid to host the World Cup. However, they did play qualifying matches in the Asian division.
Qatar has never qualified for the World Cup before, so this will be their first opportunity to play at that level.
14. What will the dress code be like in Qatar for the World Cup?
As a visitor to Qatar, there may be some concern about what you can or can’t wear. As an Islamic nation, there are some strict dress code requirements you need to follow.
In general, you can wear your regular clothing, but you must respect the country’s cultures and traditions.
Women are required to cover their shoulders and knees when out in public. Men are expected to wear full sleeves and cover their knees while out in public.
Some tourist destinations such as museums require you to wear conservative clothes, no shorts or singlets.
15. Why is Qatar a controversial venue for the FIFA World Cup?
There have been a number of controversies surrounding Qatar and the FIFA World Cup for 2022.
The first being how Qatar managed to win the bid to host the World Cup. Many countries alleged that Qatar bribed FIFA officials to win the bid. However. Qatar has denied this and indicated that spreading football is FIFA’s goal, allowing it to extend further into the Arab world. Qatar has also put a lot of money behind the bid and into the World Cup, building stadiums and transportation infrastructure. So whatever you may say about how it was won, the event is well planned and funded.
The second controversy surrounds human rights violations. However, Qatar has said that they are using the FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to make changes and improve human rights in their country with regards to construction workers. They have already built better accommodations and set minimum wages, as well as improving worker safety conditions.
16. Will alcohol be available for fans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Some fans like to partake in an alcoholic beverage during football matches. However, Qatar is an Islamic state, and alcohol is not part of its culture. Nevertheless, Qatar officials have indicated that alcohol will be available in specific fan zones or hotels for tourists to enjoy.
17. What will happen to the stadiums after the World Cup?
Most stadiums used for the 2022 World Cup will be reused for other sporting events or national teams. They may be downsized from the present capacity though.
An innovative approach that Qatar is taking will be the ability to take parts of the stadiums and reuse them for future events in other countries. So, in downsizing the stadiums, they will send the removed portions to other countries to be used as new stadiums.
18. Will the Qatar blockade affect the World Cup?
Some of Qatar’s neighbors enacted a diplomatic and economic blockade against Qatar due to several diplomatic issues. With Qatar hosting the World Cup and some of these neighbors potentially qualifying to play in it, this could impact the teams and infrastructure needed for the World Cup.
Luckily, Qatar’s stadium and infrastructure building was not impacted by the blockade, so everything is on track. The blockade has also been removed, which will allow all qualifying teams to attend the World Cup.
19. When and how do I buy tickets for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar?
Fans excited to start preparing for the World Cup could have joined a lottery to try to get tickets to the event.
Something to be mindful of is that Qatar has set requirements that all tourists be vaccinated for COVID.
Fans cough up mortgage level fees to attend their team’s game and as such money has flowed into football. There are now a plethora of ways for fans to bet on the outcome of matches, or what might happen across an individual 90 minutes of action and a clubs’ official site will even encourage fans to bet via their licensed partners.
20. Will accommodation be an issue in Qatar?
Qatar is a very small country in size, and with a massive influx of tourists for the 2022 World Cup, the country’s hotels could be at capacity. Qatar had 27,000 hotel rooms n 2019, but FIFA requires a minimum of 60,000 hotel rooms to be made available. By 2021 Qatar has increased its hotel rooms to 42,000. However, that still leaves a shortfall they need to make up.
Qatar will be importing 16 prebuilt floating hotels that will be anchored close to the main venue to increase capacity for visitors.
Final Thoughts
Whatever you may think about Qatar, it is putting a lot of money and effort into making the 2022 World Cup an amazing event. Qatar has built state-of-the-art stadiums, substantial infrastructure improvements and is ensuring that fans visiting will have a place to stay.
Qatar is looking to make this a big event to showcase football to the Arab world and show the world everything that Qatar has to offer.
