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What to Expect from the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
The FIFA World Cup is undoubtedly the biggest football tournament out there. Teams from around the world compete for three years before they play in the World Cup. Needless to say, it’s extremely prestigious to host football fans for such an iconic championship. Qatar won the bid for 2022 and has been eagerly preparing for over a decade to host an event to remember.
Qatar’s Love for Football
With many other accolades to boast about, it’s not obvious to deem Qatar as a popular football country. Football is the most popular sport in Qatar, both in teams and fans. The Qatar Football Association became affiliated with FIFA in 1970, and the national team has since been enthusiastically making a name for itself internationally. In the 2019 AFC Asia Cup, they won all their matches, including the finals against Japan, with a score of 3 – 1.
New Infrastructure
To prepare for the 2022 FIFA cup, the country ramped up its infrastructure to ensure fans and athletes had a seamless experience during the tournament. Local organizers built seven brand new stadiums, revamped the roads and metro stations, and built at least 100 new hotels and an airport to handle the millions of people they’re expecting.
It’s not the first time that a host nation with a hot climate (e.g., Brazil in 2014) requested a shift in the traditional timeframe of the World Cup. The November – December games will provide spectators with cooler temperatures already, but the nation takes their fan’s comfort seriously. All but one stadium will have venues fitted with unique air conditioning measures, allowing sporting events to be held all year round. The stadium that doesn’t have this technology has, instead, adapted its architecture to make use of natural ventilation.
Environment First
The new infrastructure may come with an environmental cost, but officials say not to worry. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s (MME) Climate Change Department assures us that they take the environmental impact into account with each development plan. In fact, the stadiums’ unique cooling devices will be powered by solar energy, making them not just environmentally friendly with low pollution risk but also a sustainable venture. Each seat and the football pitch will be fitted with air conditioning instead of the whole area. The design will not only keep costs down but also focus the cooling energy on the areas that need it the most.
MME also assured the public that there is a detailed plan in place to have a carbon-neutral World Cup. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has a long-term sustainability plan that has already begun. Other than creating green spaces, they also have plans to involve the public by providing instructional sessions at schools, companies, and public spaces to raise awareness of their greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.
At the end of the tournament, each stadium will still serve a purpose. The newly created buildings will be used to host educational events for local schools and the general public. Although the World Cup exclusively hosts men’s football, the SC has plans for a gender support network to promote and develop local girls’ football skills.
Partnering with Other Countries
Hosting the World Cup in Qatar is the first time the tournament has been held in the Middle East, and countries within the region are proud to be part of the historical moment. The nation has partnerships with neighboring countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, to have frequent flights for fans to explore other areas in the Gulf.
To Conclude
The FIFA World Cup of 2022 will undoubtedly be a different experience from the previous championships. Qatar has been steadily preparing itself. Now all that’s left is for fans to enjoy the ride.
Online Reporter