From November 21 to December 18, 2022, the FIFA World Cup will be played in Qatar. Qatar created history when it was awarded the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Here are some interesting facts about the host country:
- This will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East, and only the second World Cup to be staged in an Asian country. Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup.
- The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022, making it the first World Cup to be held in the northern hemisphere during the winter season.
- It is estimated that Qatar spent about $200 billion on infrastructure to organize the tournament, making it the costliest FIFA World Cup ever.
- Despite the fact that the games will be held in the winter, the temperatures in Qatar will be hot throughout the day, necessitating the installation of central air conditioning in each of the stadiums.
- Because Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, among other things, the organizing committee worked out a deal with the government to have both the fan fests and the hotels classified as “tourist zones,” reducing the socio-cultural shock.
- During the 30 days of the World Cup, Hamad International Airport is scheduled to receive roughly 1,300 daily flights, setting a new record for attendance.
- Qatar will have the fewest venues utilized for a World Cup since Argentina had six in 1978. Between 10 and 12 stadiums have been built in host countries since then.
- This World Cup will be held in eight stadiums.
- With all venues being less than an hour’s drive distant, Qatar 2022 will be the most accessible FIFA World Cup in history.
- The FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be the final edition, with 32 teams competing. The World Cups will have 16 extra teams starting in 2026, for a total of 48.