29 of the 32 participants in the 2022 World Cup have been determined. Despite being hosted by a highly controversial host country as an unusual winter tournament, the World Cup will attract thousands of fans, with hundreds of millions watching the finals in front of their televisions. Groups were drawn yesterday (still ongoing as this issue goes to press).
Kick-off is November 21, hosts Qatar will be on the ball in the opening game in Al-Khour. The final will be played at the 90,000-seat Lusail Stadium in Doha on December 18, Qatar’s National Day. Four of the eight stadiums are located in the capital. With a duration of 28 days, it will be the shortest World Cup since 1978. The questions and answers about the World Cup:
? Why does the World Cup take place in the European winter?
The date is the result of the extreme heat in summer in Qatar, where 50 degrees are not uncommon. In winter it should be between 25 and 30 degrees warm in Qatar. FIFA pushed through the appointment against opposition from the top leagues in Europe. Austria’s league pauses from 12./13. November to February 10th.
? What time is the game played?
The time difference between Austria and Qatar is two hours. The kick-off times are 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Central European Time. The knockout phase will not be played before 4 p.m.
? Why is the World Cup taking place in Qatar?
The country on the Persian Gulf, which is meaningless in football, was awarded the World Cup in a questionable double award, with the 2018 finals going to Russia. A number of members of the then FIFA Executive Committee have since been convicted of corruption. Qatar denies using unfair means. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, then a UEFA envoy, is now considered a close friend of the emirate and also lives there. The Swiss now also speaks Arabic.
? What format will the final round be played in?
32 teams are divided into eight preliminary round groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group qualify for the round of 16. 48 nations are participating in 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
? Why is the World Cup controversial?
The World Cup host has been under criticism since it was awarded at the end of 2010. The focus was and is the so-called kafala system, which robs workers from abroad of practically all their rights. More than 6,500 workers from Southeast Asia are said to have died on the construction sites since the contract was awarded.
? How do Qatar and FIFA argue?
The government of the emirate refers to numerous reforms – especially for workers’ rights. The kafala system is officially abolished. Violations of the new laws would be rigorously pursued, according to the emirate, which admits mistakes and demands patience. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s line of defense: Without the World Cup, the human rights situation in Qatar would never have been looked at with such care by other countries.
? What can viewers expect on site?
There are question marks for those who love to travel. Hotel bookings are still not possible, and nobody is sure if and how alcohol will be sold in the strictly Islamic country. Anyone who goes there can easily see ten games in one week thanks to the streamlined program and short distances between the stadiums.
? How many tickets have been sold so far?
According to FIFA, slightly more than 800,000 tickets have been sold worldwide in sales phase 1 so far. Most of these went to fans from host country Qatar, followed by the USA, England, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Nachrichten
