Everyone is ramping up for the Qatar 2022 World Cup with fans ready to fill the stadium and cheer for their favourite teams. This will be the first time that Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup and there is plenty for fans to look forward to. Here are few things to expect with the 2022 World Cup.
The tournament kicks off on November 20 with an opening ceremony before the Qatar and Ecuador match at Al Bayt stadium. The tournament will last nearly a month and are going to be held between eight venues in the capital city of Doha, and the surrounding cities of Lusail, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, and Al Wakrah.
A fun fact to know about the Qatar World Cup is that each of the stadiums completed construction in the past two years explicitly for the games, with the exception of the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, which was built in 1976.
This 22nd edition of the World Cup will also be the first ever that is played in winter as it would have been too hot in summer hence why most of the stadiums are air-conditioned. Another first is that there will be not 1 but 3 female referees officiating the games. The 3 are, Salima Mukansanga (33), Yoshimi Yamashita (36) and Stephanie Frappart (38)
32 teams will battle it out in this first ever World Cup hosted in the Middle East. As all games are played in Doha, this is by far the most commutable tournament as all 8 stadiums are easily accessible.
Stadium 974 is a unique stadium as it is made from 974 recycled shipping containers and is the first temporary stadium. Once the tournament is completed, the stadium will dismantled and transported to Maldonado, Uruguay. If Uruguay is successful in their bid to host the 2030 World Cup, this stadium will be the first ever to host a World Cup game in 2 different countries.
It is estimated that over 1 million fans will be headed to Qatar for the tournament. Will there also be a first time winner this time around? The world awaits.
