Did your country make it to the World Cup finals this year? We did. Congratulations! The FIFA World Cup is that amazing moment when the whole world, despite our differences, unites together just to cheer for our teams. Although it’s a competition, we all fall in love with the beautiful game of football. This year, as the world rally to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there are a few things that are happening for the first time in the history of the sport. Here are some amazing facts about the World Cup this year.
#1. Played In The Winter In The Northern Hemisphere
The FIFA World Cup has always been a summer event — pretty much like the Olympic Games. This is due to the preference for the summer season amid humid weather conditions. However, when the tournament was held in South Africa in 2010, it was the first on the continent and was held in the winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This year (and for whatever reasons) Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has decided that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be played from November 21 to December 18, 2022 — becoming the first World Cup to be played in winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
#2. Held In The Middle East
The first edition of the World Cup was held in Uruguay, South America in 1930. Fun fact: they won. The next was held in Italy, Europe, and again, they won as well. And for decades, the two continents held and participated in every single edition of the tournament until 2002, when the finals were held in Korea and Japan. Fast forward eight years later, the 19th edition was held in South Africa. And now, for the first time again, the edition is going to be held in Qatar — the first Middle East nation to host the tournament.
#3. The Most Expensive FIFA World Cup In History
Speaking of the Middle East, two things come to mind. Either politically unstable nations or oil wealthy kingdoms. Focusing on the latter, this might have been the reason why FIFA chose Qatar as the host for the 22nd edition of the tournament. According to reports, Qatar has spent around $200 billion on its infrastructure just to host the event, making it the most expensive FIFA World Cup in recorded history.
#4. State Of The Art Stadia
Everything expensive means luxury. One of the key features we’ll probably remember about this FIFA World Cup would be the magnificent stadia. The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be held at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Located in Al Rayyan just outside of Doha, the edifice is estimated to cost of billions of dollars, and has a 40,000 capacitor.
Related media: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ Stadium Animations
#5. The Most Compact Tournament Ever
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18. With limited time, matches will be played simultaneously during the preliminary rounds. What this means is that football fans can watch up to two live matches each day.
Let us know if you will be visiting Qatar for the World Cup.
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Written by: Nana Kwadwo, Thu, Apr 07, 2022.