Everyone is excited about the World Cup, I know I am. It’s arguably the most widely anticipated sports event of all time where multiple teams from different nations and regions all come together to compete for the grand trophy. However, one thing you may or may not have heard of is the controversies surrounding this year’s World Cup, and that is its location.
Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, but the Middle Eastern nation faces many difficulties in the process. However, people have been wondering what kind of football culture Qatar has exactly. The nation has so far hosted two Asian Cups, in 1998 and 2011, but no other significant competitions. This is why people are starting to worry about their lack of experience on the matter.
And there’s the weather issue. Initially, Qatar promised FIFA to organize the World Cup 2022 during the summer along with air-conditioning infrastructure to deal with the heat. However, it seems that Qatar deceived them and made FIFA accept an ultimatum to host the tournament next winter.
Mind you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Scroll down to know the top 10 reasons why people think the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar might be the worst yet.
Only eight venues will host the competition, as FIFA ultimately decided, as all but one are rather near to one another. This might make the event turn into a nightmare by causing more infrastructure-related issues. Fans won't have much of a choice but to wait their turn and get to the games early in order to show up on time. The FIFA World Cup may be the largest event on a global scale, but it may appear small in Qatar.
Qatar must provide care for 32 teams in 64 games, in contrast to Switzerland, which hosted 16 teams and 26 games! They still have a lot of room to fill with the over 100.000 certified attendees and additional football fanatics. This implies that the little country will be overrun with tourists who could have trouble finding a place to sleep or getting to games. Because the country is still developing its infrastructure, all we hear are promises.
Qatar played friendlies against each team in UEFA Group A to better prepare for the competition. They had a terrible season, winning only one of their eight games, against Luxembourg's underdogs (1-0). However, they only managed to score one goal while surrendering 14 against Serbia and Portugal. They will undoubtedly be the worst team at the World Cup, and playing at home won't make that any stronger. Only countries who have hosted the World Cup before should be allowed to do so, according to the regulation!
The other nation dealing with challenges was Russia, but Qatar was unrelated to that. Russia was expelled from all major competitions in 2019 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), although being permitted to participate in qualification events. In reality, FIFA might prevent Russia from playing if they were to make it to the finals by invoking WADA. A different name for Russia and participation without a flag or national song would be a possible possibility. Only two days before the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, this embargo expires on December 16th, 2022. However, FIFA suspended Russians following the attack on Ukraine, removing them in the process.
The conflict was ultimately settled in 2021, and the borders between the contending nations were opened. But before Qatar's reputation changes, a lot of time and money will be required. This might be another factor preventing supporters from traveling to the nation during the FIFA World Cup. However, we hope that the agreement will continue long after the
Few people would set out for 12 hours to watch every game during the group stage because there will be four games every day. The irony is that everyone will likely forgo these games, which will negatively affect Qatar. They are likely the weakest squad in the competition, as we have determined, thus nobody will be interested in watching them until their preferred club is involved. The fourth item on our list provides an explanation if you're wondering why this is taking place.
Because the World Cup is in the middle of the club season, as we have said, this will lead to a busy schedule and have an impact on the players. Furthermore, many Americans will disregard the tournament since it conflicts with vacations and the NFL playoffs. FIFA is undoubtedly eager for this World Cup to be over since it is already experiencing problems with sponsors and broadcasters. We're very confident FIFA has learned its costly lesson and will never again follow the summer schedule.
Due to the protests and boycott requests coming from strong human rights organizations, they probably won't cease even during the World Cup. It will impact their earnings even if FIFA and the hosts will undoubtedly overlook it. On the plus side, Qatar has been improving lately, and even if they only do it because they have to, it's still encouraging.
Furthermore, despite the fact that homosexuality is a crime punishable by severe jail terms, Qatar continues to exhibit great animosity against the LGBT population. However, in response to demand, they pledged greater tolerance and even installed rainbow flags in the stadiums. Nobody is certain, though, if LGBT fans will feel secure walking about. Undoubtedly, many people would believe that traveling to a place where they are unwanted is not the ideal way to spend the winter season.
Finally, Michel Platini, a former president of UEFA, was detained in 2019 on allegations of corruption. We still don't know much about it, though. However, Platini has previously been charged with fraud, suggesting this story has some merit. The Qatari administration has maintained that everyone is envious throughout the whole period. The World Cup will go on as planned, and if we learn the truth at all, it won't be for many years. No one, however, thinks Qatar deserves to host the World Cup in a proper manner.
Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, but the Middle Eastern nation faces many difficulties in the process. However, people have been wondering what kind of football culture Qatar has exactly. The nation has so far hosted two Asian Cups, in 1998 and 2011, but no other significant competitions. This is why people are starting to worry about their lack of experience on the matter.
And there’s the weather issue. Initially, Qatar promised FIFA to organize the World Cup 2022 during the summer along with air-conditioning infrastructure to deal with the heat. However, it seems that Qatar deceived them and made FIFA accept an ultimatum to host the tournament next winter.
Mind you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Scroll down to know the top 10 reasons why people think the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar might be the worst yet.
#1 Only Eight Stadiums
Source: timeoutdoha
Only eight venues will host the competition, as FIFA ultimately decided, as all but one are rather near to one another. This might make the event turn into a nightmare by causing more infrastructure-related issues. Fans won't have much of a choice but to wait their turn and get to the games early in order to show up on time. The FIFA World Cup may be the largest event on a global scale, but it may appear small in Qatar.
#2 Qatar is too small to host the FIFA World Cup
Source: iloveqatar
Qatar must provide care for 32 teams in 64 games, in contrast to Switzerland, which hosted 16 teams and 26 games! They still have a lot of room to fill with the over 100.000 certified attendees and additional football fanatics. This implies that the little country will be overrun with tourists who could have trouble finding a place to sleep or getting to games. Because the country is still developing its infrastructure, all we hear are promises.
#3 The Qatar football team has poor performance
Source: sportingnews
Qatar played friendlies against each team in UEFA Group A to better prepare for the competition. They had a terrible season, winning only one of their eight games, against Luxembourg's underdogs (1-0). However, they only managed to score one goal while surrendering 14 against Serbia and Portugal. They will undoubtedly be the worst team at the World Cup, and playing at home won't make that any stronger. Only countries who have hosted the World Cup before should be allowed to do so, according to the regulation!
#4 Russia and Israel
Source: Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS
The other nation dealing with challenges was Russia, but Qatar was unrelated to that. Russia was expelled from all major competitions in 2019 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), although being permitted to participate in qualification events. In reality, FIFA might prevent Russia from playing if they were to make it to the finals by invoking WADA. A different name for Russia and participation without a flag or national song would be a possible possibility. Only two days before the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, this embargo expires on December 16th, 2022. However, FIFA suspended Russians following the attack on Ukraine, removing them in the process.
#5 Sponsoring Terrorism Allegations
Source: opindia
The conflict was ultimately settled in 2021, and the borders between the contending nations were opened. But before Qatar's reputation changes, a lot of time and money will be required. This might be another factor preventing supporters from traveling to the nation during the FIFA World Cup. However, we hope that the agreement will continue long after the
#6 The Shortest World Cup of the Millennium
Source: Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera
Few people would set out for 12 hours to watch every game during the group stage because there will be four games every day. The irony is that everyone will likely forgo these games, which will negatively affect Qatar. They are likely the weakest squad in the competition, as we have determined, thus nobody will be interested in watching them until their preferred club is involved. The fourth item on our list provides an explanation if you're wondering why this is taking place.
#7 The First Winter FIFA World Cup
Source: living2022
Because the World Cup is in the middle of the club season, as we have said, this will lead to a busy schedule and have an impact on the players. Furthermore, many Americans will disregard the tournament since it conflicts with vacations and the NFL playoffs. FIFA is undoubtedly eager for this World Cup to be over since it is already experiencing problems with sponsors and broadcasters. We're very confident FIFA has learned its costly lesson and will never again follow the summer schedule.
#8 Boycott Calls
Source: livemint
Due to the protests and boycott requests coming from strong human rights organizations, they probably won't cease even during the World Cup. It will impact their earnings even if FIFA and the hosts will undoubtedly overlook it. On the plus side, Qatar has been improving lately, and even if they only do it because they have to, it's still encouraging.
#9 Modern Slavery and LGBT Rights
Source: middleeasteye
Furthermore, despite the fact that homosexuality is a crime punishable by severe jail terms, Qatar continues to exhibit great animosity against the LGBT population. However, in response to demand, they pledged greater tolerance and even installed rainbow flags in the stadiums. Nobody is certain, though, if LGBT fans will feel secure walking about. Undoubtedly, many people would believe that traveling to a place where they are unwanted is not the ideal way to spend the winter season.
#10 Qatar May Have Bought the Rights to Host the World Cup
Source: CNN
Finally, Michel Platini, a former president of UEFA, was detained in 2019 on allegations of corruption. We still don't know much about it, though. However, Platini has previously been charged with fraud, suggesting this story has some merit. The Qatari administration has maintained that everyone is envious throughout the whole period. The World Cup will go on as planned, and if we learn the truth at all, it won't be for many years. No one, however, thinks Qatar deserves to host the World Cup in a proper manner.