Where is the 2022 World Cup?
By Adam Stocker
In a controversial decision, FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
For the first time in the history of the World Cup, an Arab and Muslim country will host international soccer’s biggest tournament. Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. The Qatar World Cup will be the shortest tournament, only 28 days, and the only tournament to not take place during May, June or July. Instead, the 2022 tournament will begin in November with the final being played on December 18.
The 2022 World Cup has been involved in controversy since it was awarded. FIFA and the Qatar bid are being investigated by prosecutors for corruption, bribery and money laundering. The Qataris are also being investigated for human rights violations. Qatar is being investigated for the treatment of their workers that are building the stadiums.
The World Cup will be played in five cities and eight stadiums. Doha, the capital city of Qatar, will have four stadiums. Khalifa International Stadium is being upgraded for the tournament. While the Qatar Foundation Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium and Al Thumama Stadium are all being built for the World Cup.
Al Rayyan’s Ahmed bin Ali Stadium is the only other stadium that has already been built. The stadium is being renovated and upgraded ahead of 2022 World Cup. The cities of Al Khor, Al Wakrah and Lusail are having new stadiums built for the World Cup. The Al Wakrah Stadium is a 40,000 seat stadium. While the stadiums in Al Khor and Lusail are scheduled to be much bigger. Al Khor’s Al-Bayt Stadium is supposed to be 60,000. While Lusail Iconic Stadium will be the largest stadium in the tournament and proposed to seat 86,250.
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Qatar is the smallest country to ever host a World Cup, surpassing Switzerland. The Swiss hosted the tournament in 1954 when it was a 16-team tournament. The Qatar World Cup will be the last tournament with 32 teams. In 2026, the World Cup will expand to 48 teams.