World football’s most prestigious competition of all, the FIFA World Cup is all set to kick off in the Middle East for the first time in history and Qatar is the host nation for the competition. Probably the most iconic country in the Middle East, Qatar will be gearing up for a month-long carnival the tournament kicks off in the winter of 2022.
But hang on, do you know something that makes the upcoming FIFA 2022 one of the most unique world cups in the history of football? Well, let’s take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about the FIFA World Cup 2022 that make it unique in every way.
Interesting Facts About The Upcoming World Cup 2022 In Qatar
There are many things that make the FIFA World Cup in Qatar a spectacle to watch out for. Here are some of the interesting facts that one needs to know about.
1. First-Ever Winter World Cup In The Northern Hemisphere
Now here's an interesting fact about the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 2022 edition of the competition would be the first-ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere. Originally, the world cup usually takes place in summers in the Southern Hemisphere as this is the time when the region experiences winter conditions.
However, matters become difficult when it comes to Qatar. Nestled in the Middle East, Qatar experiences distressingly high temperatures which can go up to as high as 50 degrees celsius. In such conditions, hosting any type of world cup can be near impossible.
Hence, in order to counter the challenges posed by the weather in Qatar, the FIFA World Cup has been moved from its usual summer slot to the winters. This move, then, makes it the first-ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere. Interestingly, the World Cup 2022 would be kicking off on the 21st of November 2021 and end with the final scheduled for the 18th of December 2021.
2. FIFA 2022 To Be The Most Expensive World Cup Ever
Another interesting fact about the upcoming world cup 2022 in Qatar is the amount the host nation is spending in preparations for the upcoming event. As per an estimate, Qatar is spending a whopping $200 billion on infrastructure projects which includes the construction of stadiums, highways, hotels, and so on. This will make the Qatar FIFA World Cup one of the most expensive world cups in the history of the game.
As for the experience of fans after all this, Qatar is leaving no stones unturned to ensure a lively experience for the fans.
3. Fewest Number Of Stadiums To Host The Qatar 2022 World Cup
Another fine fact about the upcoming world cup in Qatar is the number of venues. Only eight stadiums have been lined up by Qatar to host the FIFA 2022 which is the lowest number of venues for the world cup in recent years. In fact, out of all the eight venues selected to host the tournament, only one of them is being revamped completely while seven are being newly constructed in the country. Hence, as far as the Qatar world cup is concerned, the event would be held in only eight stadiums in Qatar while most of the matches would be taking place in Qatar itself.
Interesting Fact: 1978 was the first time when the host nation Argentina hosted the FIFA World Cup with just six stadiums. Qatar will now be hosting the competition with only eight stadiums.
4. Record Number Of Visitors To Arrive In Qatar
One of the most interesting facts about the upcoming FIFA 2022 in Qatar is the number of visitors who are expected to arrive in the country during the event. As per an estimate, the Qatar FIFA 2022 World Cup may well end up receiving a record number of visitors by the time the tournament comes to an end.
The reason behind this is simple to understand. Being one of the finest countries in the Middle East, Qatar is also nestled right at the center of the world and falls in close proximity to most nations in the world. Hence, a record number of visitors are expected to arrive from all around the world once the FIFA World Cup 2022 kicks off.
What is fascinating to note is that Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport are set to join hands to bring in a record number of visitors to the country. There will be an estimated 1300 flights coming to Qatar on a daily basis for the whole month.
5. The Qatar World Cup To Be The Most Commutable World Cup Ever
Another interesting fact about the upcoming Doha World Cup is commutability. As already discussed, the FIFA World Cup will be attracting a record number of visitors to Qatar. But what about moving within the country? Well, here's a thing. Qatar is a small country. It is, in fact, way smaller than the host of the world cup 2018, Russia. Since the size of the country is so small, commuting from one place to another here isn't a big hassle. Host cities like Doha, Lusail, Al Wakrah, and Al Rayyan are located in close proximity to each other. Hence, moving from one venue to the other wouldn't be a big hassle for travelers.
In fact, while the local taxis like Karwa would be helping fans commute to different venues, the Doha Metro is set to play a big hand once the world cup kicks off in the country. It is estimated that the metro link would be ferrying about one million people during the Qatar World Cup. As believed by experts, the number may even be higher than ever and would be a new record. What is fascinating is that the Doha Metro link connects all the venues for the world cup.
Interesting Fact: The two most remote stadiums of Qatar, Al Bayt, and Al Wakrah are only 90 miles apart.
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6. Fan Zones To Provide Cheap Alcohol
Qatar is leaving no stones unturned in making the upcoming FIFA 2022 a big success, and the fan zones would be a huge part of that. Up till recently, there was a lot of talk around the availability of alcohol in Qatar during the world cup. However, while the stadiums may not serve alcohol to fans, Qatar has certainly come up with a solution that may well work.
There will be fan zones set up all around the country which will be serving alcohol at reduced prices. This would be a whole concept in terms of the Qatar world cup and fans would get to enjoy live action right from the fan zones while getting cheap alcohol.
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7. Centrally Air-Conditioned Stadiums
One of the most important things to note about the host nation for FIFA 2022 is the fact that Qatar receives distressingly high temperatures during day times. While the world cup was virtually impossible to host during the summers considering the fact that temperatures can touch 50 degrees celsius, shifting to a winter slot has brought in some calm. However, is that all?
Well, as far as winters are concerned, even the day temperatures during winters can be high enough. Hence, Qatar has come up with a solution for this. For the first time ever, the country is set to host the FIFA World Cup in fully air-conditioned stadiums. All eight venues will be fully air-conditioned, providing a comfortable viewing experience to fans while making the conditions good enough for players to get on the pitch.
8. FIFA 2022 To Bridge The Gap Between Europe And The Middle East
Something that the people in the Middle East and Europe would certainly be hoping to achieve, the FIFA 2022 in Qatar would certainly help bridge the cultural gap between Europe and the Middle East. This would be an occasion to bring both the worlds together and help people make merry together.
In fact, Qatar is making tremendous efforts in this regard and the results would be interesting to see after the 2022 FIFA event.
9. FIFA 2022 Only The Second-Ever FIFA World Cup To Be Held In Asia
Not only will Qatar be the first-ever Middle Eastern nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, but it will also be only the second time when the prestigious competition takes place in Asia. The first time it happened was in 2002 when Japan and South Korea co-hosted the FIFA event for the first time in Asia. Hence, FIFA 2022 would be a special occasion for Qatar as the nation would become the first-ever Middle Eastern country to host the event.
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10. Generous Hospitality Awaits Fans In 2022
Ever heard about Qatar's fine Arabian hospitality? Well, here's a thing, the nation is particularly renowned for its generous Arabian hospitality and continues to impress travelers. Every hotel, public park, or even shopping mall in Qatar has been designed with the utmost comfort and convenience in mind.
Hence, as far as the 2022 football world cup is concerned, fans would be in for generous hospitality once the tournament kicks off.
11. A Friendly Welcome Awaits
If you're a traveler who's ever been to Qatar, you know what we're about to talk about. A nation that has about 2.7 million population, Qatar has always been a live testament of friendliness. The people in the country are generally friendly and like to make merry with foreign tourists. In fact, English is the premier language of the country and it wouldn't be a surprise if someone ends up getting a dinner invite to the Qatari house. Hence, once the world cup kicks off in the country, travelers coming from other countries would be in for a real treat.
12. Safety Not Issue In Qatar
Every time a major tournament kicks off in any nation, the safety of the traveling fans and players is one of the top things that the government of the host nation looks at. But with Qatar, safety is never a concern. Today, the nation is renowned for being one of the safest countries in the world. The crime index of the country is relatively low while violent crimes are extremely rare here.
Hence, travelers can freely roam around the country even at night and not worry about their safety at all.
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Which Is The Best Way To Reach Qatar?
Reaching Qatar wouldn't be a big hassle for travelers once the world cup kicks off. While there will be an on-road option open for travelers from Saudi Arabia, the best way would be to travel by air during the FIFA World Cup. The Hamad International Airport is the only fully-functioning international airport in the country and operates flights from all around the world.
In fact, the airport is one of the major reasons why Qatar is regarded as one of the largest transit gateways in the world. Travelers can easily book their flights to Qatar from anywhere in the world.
Interestingly, once the world cup begins in the country, there will be many budget airlines operating in the country which will make travel to Qatar much more economical for fans.
World football's most prestigious competition, the FIFA World Cup is all set to kick off in the winter of 2022 and Qatar is gearing up for the same. While the 2022 edition of the world cup is unique in many ways, there are many interesting facts about the FIFA World Cup 2022 that surround the upcoming event. Be it the number of stadiums to the factor of commutability and so much more, the FIFA 2022 in Qatar would be a giant step towards bridging the cultural gap between Europe and the Middle East.
So, what's making you wait? The FIFA 2022 is edging closer and the excitement couldn't be any higher. So, plan your world cup trip to Qatar and book Qatar tour packages today to avoid the last-minute rushes.
FAQs
Only eight stadiums have been lined up by Qatar to host the FIFA 2022 which is the lowest number of venues for the world cup in recent years. In fact, out of all the eight venues selected to host the tournament, only one of them is being revamped completely while seven are being newly constructed in the country.
The World Cup 2022 would be kicking off on the 21st of November 2021 and end with the final scheduled for the 18th of December 2021. This will not only be the first-ever world cup in the Middle East but also the first time when the world cup takes place in the winter of the Northern Hemisphere.
Qatar will be the host nation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022. This will be the first time that a Middle Eastern country will be hosting the world cup. In fact, it will only be the second time when the FIFA World Cup takes place in Asia.
Since set in the Middle East, temperatures during winters can be high enough in Qatar. Hence, the country has come up with a solution for this. For the first time ever, the country is set to host the FIFA World Cup in fully air-conditioned stadiums. All eight venues will be fully air-conditioned, providing a comfortable viewing experience to fans while making the conditions good enough for players to get on the pitch.
Qatar and its hospitality are world-renowned. The country is home to some fine hotels which include - Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Grand Hyatt Doha, InterContinental Doha, JW Marriott Marquis City, AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Najada Doha Hotel, Ritz-Carlton Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha, etc.
Here are some of the best places to explore in Qatar when coming for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 - Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, Banana Island, Purple Island, Al Thakira Natural Reserve, etc.
Yes, there was a lot of talk around the availability of alcohol in Qatar during the world cup. However, while the stadiums may not serve alcohol to fans, Qatar has certainly come up with a solution that may well work. There will be fan zones set up all around the country which will be serving alcohol at reduced prices.
The best time to visit Qatar on a holiday is between November and March. This is a period when the country records relatively mild temperatures during the daytime when compared to the rest of the year. In fact, summers in Qatar can be seriously distressing for travelers.
