Soccer is one of the many sports that are enjoyed by people from diverse cultures across the globe. It is arguably the most popular sport in the world (King, 2017). Usually, soccer tournaments range from professional tournaments to just playing for fun. The world cup is perhaps the most revered soccer tournament. It involves competition between different countries in the world. Usually, these competitions are held in a host country that is chosen in a competitive process. Qatar was chosen to host and organize the 2022 soccer world cup tournament. This paper evaluates the preparedness of Qatar as far as this tournament is concerned. It also compares Qatar to Brazil which has hosted this tournament previously.
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A look at the history of the soccer world cup is essential to understand what to expect in Qatar come 2022. To begin with, the soccer world cup is the brainchild of FIFA. This is the body that is mandated to govern world soccer tournaments. FIFA saw the need to establish soccer world championship due to the success realized in the conducting the Olympic Football Tournament. This idea was conceived by FIFA as early as 1926 (Haynes et al., 2017). This is barely twenty-two years after this body came into existence in 1904. At the moment, FIFA was under the stewardship of President Jules Rimet. The first soccer world cup tournament was organized by Rimet together with other FIFA representatives in the year 1930. Uruguay was chosen as the first host country of this tournament. Teams that took part in this tournament included; Romania, Belgium, France and, of course, Uruguay was bound to compete as the host nation. The countries that submitted their candidature to host the first soccer world cup tournament were Italy, Uruguay, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain. Uruguay stood out among the other competitors. Uruguay had successfully won the Olympics gold medals in 1924 and 1928. She had just gained her independence which she was to celebrate in 1930 at a great expense. She was ready to finance the tournament including covering the travel expenses of the participants. These are some of the reasons that made her the favorite host nation.
The host nation of this tournament is chosen through a bidding process. This happens in steps with FIFA monitoring each step. This is how it happens. FIFA asks nations to express interest in hosting the games. The expression of interest to bid a particular event by MAs follows. Bidding information is availed by FIFA. FIFA organizes a workshop for the bidders that are interested. MAs return the bidding agreement that states their readiness to comply with the requirements of the bidding process. The bidding manuals dictate how MAs are to submit their bids. FIFA then evaluates the submissions made by the MAs and chooses the selected candidates who are to be approved. This is followed by FIFA sending its recommendations regarding the whole bidding process. The final step is the announcement of the candidate who emerged as the winner after the bidding process. Qatar together with other interested nations was subjected to this process when they showed interest in hosting the 2022 soccer world cup. Qatar emerged victorious at the end of the whole process.
The table below is the summary of the world cup since the year 1930.
Host
Winner
Runners-up
Year
Uruguay
Uruguay
Argentina
1930
Italy
Italy
Czechoslovakia
1934
France
Italy
Hungary
1938
Brazil
Uruguay
Brazil
1950
Switzerland
West Germany
Hungary
1954
Sweden
Brazil
Sweden
1958
Chile
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
1962
England
England
West Germany
1966
Mexico
Brazil
Italy
1970
West Germany
West Germany
The Netherlands
1974
Argentina
Argentina
The Netherlands
1978
Spain
Italy
West Germany
1982
Mexico
Argentina
West Germany
1986
Italy
West Germany
Argentina
1990
USA
Brazil
Italy
1994
France
France
Brazil
1998
Korea and Japan
Brazil
Germany
2002
Germany
Italy
France
2006
South Africa
Spain
The Netherlands
2010
Brazil
Germany
Argentina
2014
Russia
#
#
2018
Qatar
#
#
2022
The above information shows that the FIFA world cup tournaments have mainly been held in white nations. Being held in Qatar brings a change since it is an Arabic nation.
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A look at Qatar will be essential to projects one’s expectations come 2022 when the big event is held. The country’s demographic, history, economic and socio-political aspects are indispensable in this attempt. Qatar is a sovereign and independent Islamic state that is found in the Middle East (Fromherz, 2017). This means that it is governed according to the dictates of the Islamic Sharia law. This state was colonized by the British from whom it gained independence in 1971. It is among the leading gas and oil producers in the world. This makes it a fairly wealthy nation considering its manageable population of approximately 2.5 million people. This state is led by HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (Fromherz, 2017). He assumed the reign of power in 2013.
Unlike Qatar, Brazil is a Christian nation found in Latin America. This difference in religion is bound to have significant effects on how this tournament was organized in Brazil in 2014 and how it will be organized in Qatar in 2022. In addition, the demographic differences between the two nations will have some effects in their tournaments. As of 2016, Brazil was estimated to have a population of 207.7 million people while Qatar had an estimated population of 2.5 million people. This will affect the number of locals to attend the two tournaments. Also, while Qatar is a fairly wealthy nation, Brazil is a developing. This undoubtedly affects the quality of their preparation due to the difference in their financial muscle.
Qatar is located in a dry region. Her summer occurs between May and October. This summer is extremely hot. During summer the temperature averages at 42 degrees. This drops to 15 degrees during winter. Usually, rainfall rarely comes in this region. This monarch occupies a peninsula that is found in the Gulf region. This region is characterized by sparse vegetation. With such a climate, some of the visiting people during the world cup soccer tournament are bound to run into difficulties while trying to adjust to it. Unlike Qatar that experiences a hot and dry climatic condition throughout, Brazil experiences a wide range of climatic conditions. Different regions experience different climates in Brazil. These conditions range from cool and wet to hot and dry. Unlike Brazil, Qatar will construct stadiums with controlled climate to mitigate the harshness of her climate.
Qatar’s and Brazil’s Preparation to Host the Soccer World Cup Tournament
Climate is bound to be a major challenge when Qatar will be hosting the world cup tournament (Sofotasiou et al., 2015). The organizers of these competitions have put this in mind as they put things in place. They have attempted to address the challenge. Qatar is supposed to build nine more stadiums and renovate three as it gears towards hosting these games. Qatar aims at constructing climate-controlled stadiums to address this challenge. The twelve stadiums are to be distributed across seven cities. These seven host cities are; Doha, Al-Dayeen, Al-Khor, Al-Shamal, Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakrah, and Umm slal. The timing of the FIFA world cup coincides with the summer season of Qatar. To check the harsh climate, the stadiums will be fitted with carbon regulators and be climate controlled. In addition, measures to regulate solar radiation together with warm winds will be established. Soft air conditioners are being fitted in the stadiums.
There is quite some difference between the stadiums expected in Qatar come 2022 and those used in Brazil in 2014 during the FIFA world cup. For a starter, some stadiums built in Brazil needed not be fitted with means to regulate the weather since the climatic conditions in their areas were not harsh. However, the number of the stadiums used in Brazil is the same that is expected to be used in Qatar. Twelve stadiums were used in Brazil and twelve stadiums are expected to be used in Qatar.
The table below shows some of the stadiums constructed in Brazil, their capacity and host city.
Stadium
Capacity
City
Estadio do Maracana
76804
Rio de Janeiro
Arena de Sao Paulo
65807
Sao Paulo
Estadio Nacional
70 064
Brasilia
Arena Amazonia
42 374
Manaus
Estadio Mineirao
62 547
Belo Horizonte
Arena Fonte Nova
48 747
Salvador
Arena Pernambuco
44248
Recife
Arena Pentanal
42968
Cuiaba
Estadio das Dunas
42086
Natal
Estadio Castelao
64846
Fortaleza
Estadio Beire-Rio
48849
Porto Alegre
There is quite some difference between the stadiums in Brazil and those expected in Qatar come 2022. The biggest difference is found in their capacities as evidenced in the discussion below. The discussion below gives some vital information of the stadiums to be used in Qatar. Their capacities ranges from 40000 to 60000 unlike those in Brazil whose lowest capacity was 42 086 with the largest having a capacity of 76 804 seats.
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Al-Gharafa Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in Qatar. It is earmarked among the stadiums that some of the 2022 world cup tournament will be held (Fromherz, 2017). It is located in the Doha city. Doha is the largest and the capital city of Qatar. This stadium is being renovated. Once the renovation work is over it will have a capacity of 44 740 seats. It will be used to host group matches during the tournament.
Al-Khor stadium is one of the stadiums that are to be built from scratch. Construction work has already kick-started. This stadium will have a capacity of 60000 seats once it is completed. The government of Qatar aims at opening it in September 2018. The host city of this stadium is Al-Khor. This is a coastal city. It will also be referred to as Al-Bayt stadium. It will hold group matches. Also, it will host the round of 16 matches.
Al-Rayyan stadium is another stadium that is being constructed by Qatar to hold the FIFA world cup in 2022. Once completed, it is estimated to have a capacity of 40000 seats. It is located in the city of Al-Rayyan. Qatar estimates that this stadium will have been completed by 2019. It will be used to hold group matches come 2022. Next to this stadium is the Mall of Qatar which taunted to be the largest mall in Qatar. It was built next to this stadium arguably to satisfy the shopping needs of the match viewers. The stadium is located at the edge of the desert city. A metro line is currently under construction to connect the stadium to the desert city.
Al-Shamal stadium is another stadium that is being constructed from scratch. This stadium has the shape of a bowl. Its design is inspired by the shape of the local fishing boats of the Gulf states. It has a capacity of 45 120 seats. Its construction has led to the construction of a big bridge between Qatar and Bahrain. Once finished, this will be the largest free-standing bridge in the world. It is estimated that 10% of the spectators that will be using this stadium will be coming via this bridge. This stadium will host group matches. It located in the city of Al-Shamal.
One stadium that is on this list of those that will be used to host matches come 2022 is Al-Wakrah stadium. As its name suggests, it is being constructed in the city of Al-Wakrah. The stadium will have a capacity of 40000 seats during the world cup. Its design is inspired by the rich culture of the people of Qatar. Its shape resembles that of the Arabian dhow. These were the boats that were used for fishing in the Gulf region. In addition, they were used during long-distance trade. The needs of the spectators are well taken care of by the designers of this stadium. This stadium is designed in such a way that the conditions within it will be bearable before, during and even after matches. The conditions within it will be bearable throughout the summer tournament. The designers will achieve this by using an innovative way of shading the stadium, application of passive ways of designing it and regulating airflow within the stadium. These will regulate carbon emission within the stadium in an attempt to keep it cool. Computer simulation will be used to ensure that this goal becomes a reality. This stadium will hold group matches.
On top of this list of stadiums is Doha Port Stadium. It will be situated in Doha city. Its purposes will be to hold group matches. In addition, is poised to hold the round of sixteen matches. Finally, it will be used for the quarter-final matches. The Qatar government aims at constructing it from scratch. The stadium is designed to have a capacity of 44 950 seats. This stadium will only be used during the 2022 FIFA world cup. It will be brought down once the tournament is over and the materials used to construct it donated to developing nations to erect new stadiums.
Another stadium that is being erected in Qatar to hold matches during the 2022 soccer world cup is the Education City Stadium. Its use during the tournament will to hold group matches. It will also be used during the round of sixteen matches. Al-Rayyan City was chosen as the host of this stadium. This stadium is designed to have a capacity of 40000 seats. The target of Qatar government is that the construction of this stadium will be over by 2019. This stadium has also been christened Qatar Foundation Stadium. Work is currently being done in its venue to ensure that the dream to have it by 2019 becomes a reality. The ground preparation began in 2014. Its foundation started being erected in 2016. Its design resembles that of a diamond in the desert. Though its capacity during the soccer world cup tournament is expected to be 40000 seats, it will be reduced to 25 000 seats once the tournament ends. Materials that will be removed from it will be donated to developing nations. These nations are expected to use the material to construct new stadiums within them. This will help the beautiful game of soccer to grow. Perhaps this was the reasoning behind FIFA’s decision to ask Qatar to bring some on the stadiums that will be used during the 2022 tournament down and donate the material to developing nations.
Some of the stadiums in Qatar are merely being renovated in preparation for their use in the 2022 soccer derby. One of these stadiums is Khalifa international stadium. This stadium is also referred to as the National Stadium. This is among the oldest stadiums in Qatar and was opened on 3rd March 1973. This was barely two years after Qatar gained independence from Britain. It will have a capacity of 40000 seats upon its complete. Qatar is renovating it to be used during group matches. This will be among the most utilized stadiums during the tournament since it will also be used to hold the round of sixteen matches and quarterfinals. It will finally be used during semi-finals. It is located in Al-Rayyan city.
Other stadiums that are being built and renovated in Qatar in preparation for the big event are as discussed below. Doha City stadium is being constructed at Doha. It will be used for the group matches and the third-place playoffs. Umm Slal stadium will be hosted by Umm Slal city upon its completion. Some group matches, the round of sixteen matches and quarterfinals are supposed to be held in this stadium. These are some of the steps that Qatar has taken in preparation for 2022 FIFA world cup tournament. While some of the stadiums have already been constructed, a majority are still under construction. Final touches are being done in some.
Conclusion
Soccer is a very popular sport in the world. The popularity of this sport can best be illustrated by world cup. Many people in the world follow the world cup closely. This makes it very competitive to the extent that those willing to host it are subjected to a bidding process that is quite competitive. Qatar managed to secure the coveted place of hosting the 2022 FIFA world cup tournament (Matzarakis et al., 2015). She has endeavored to put in place the right infrastructure to be used during that tournament. The tournament that will be held in Qatar and that held in Brazil in 2014 will have quite some differences.
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Fromherz, A. J. (2017). Qatar: A modern history. Georgetown University Press.
Haynes, R., & Boyle, R. (2017). The FIFA World Cup: Media, Football and the Evolution of a Global Event.
King, A. (2017). The European ritual: Football in the new Europe. Routledge.
Matzarakis, A., & Fröhlich, D. (2015). Sport events and climate for visitors—the case of FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022. International journal of biometeorology, 59(4), 481-486.
Sofotasiou, P., Hughes, B. R., & Calautit, J. K. (2015). Qatar 2022: Facing the FIFA World Cup climatic and legacy challenges. Sustainable Cities and Society, 14, 16-30.