Qatari 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
Encyclopedia
The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid is the successful proposal from the government of Qatar to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup
. Qatar, with a population of 1.69 million people, will be the first Arab state
to host the World Cup.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, son of the present Emir of Qatar, was the chairman of the bid committee.
Qatar promoted their hosting of the tournament as representing the Arab World, and has drawn support from across the member states of the Arab League
. They also positioned their bid as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab World and the West
.
Qatar gave a feel of what the World Cup would be like by holding a friendly match between Brazil
and Argentina
. Furthermore, people coming from different nations visited Qatar for this match and strengthened the image Qatar would depict of their interest in the World Cup 2022. Additionally, Qatar hosted the 2011 Asian Cup which had the lowest attendance for the cup in 11 years, since the tournament was held in Lebanon
. It was considered a warm-up for 2022.
President of FIFA Sepp Blatter
endorsed the idea of having a World Cup in the Arab World, saying in April 2010, "The Arabic world deserves a World Cup. They have 22 countries and have not had any opportunity to organise the tournament." Blatter also praised Qatar's progress, "When I was first in Qatar there were 400,000 people here and now there are 1.6 million. In terms of infrastructure, when you are able to organise the Asian Games (in 2006)
with more than 30 events for men and women, then that is not in question." On 2 December 2010, it was announced that Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
country. The World Cup always takes place during the European off-season in June and July. During this period the average daytime high in most of Qatar exceeds 50 °C (120 °F), the average daily low temperatures not dropping below 30 °C (86 °F). In response to this issue, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 2022 Qatar bid chairman, has stated, "the event has to be organized in June or July. We will have to take the help of technology to counter the harsh weather. We have already set in motion the process. A stadium with controlled temperature is the answer to the problem. We have other plans up our sleeves as well."
Qatar launched an advertising campaign across the country.
The Air Conditioning in the stadiums for both the players and spectators will be solar powered, carbon neutral and provided by Arup
of England.
The Al-Khor Stadium is planned for Al-Khor city, located 50 kilometres north of Doha. The stadium will have a total capacity of 45,330, with 19,830 of the seats forming part of a temporary modular upper tier. The Al-Wakrah stadium, to be located in Al-Wakrah city in southern Qatar, will have a total capacity of 45,120 seats. The stadium will also contain a temporary upper tier of 25,500 seats. The stadium will be surrounded by large solar panels and will be decorated with Islamic art. The Al-Wakrah and Al-Khor stadiums would have been built regardless of whether Qatar was awarded the World Cup, according to the bid committee. However, the temporary upper-tier sections would not have been added if Qatar had lost the right to host the tournament.
Executive Committee were tabled by Lord Triesman of the English FA. These allegations were based on information from a whistleblower involved with the Qatari bid. FIFA
has since opened an internal inquiry into the matter, and a revote on the 2022 World Cup remains a possibility if the allegations are proven. FIFA president Sepp Blatter
has admitted that there is a ground swell of popular support to re-hold the 2022 vote won by Qatar.
In testimony to a UK parliamentary inquiry board in May 2011, Lord Triesman
alleged that Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner demanded $4 million for an education center in his country and Paraguay's Nicolás Léoz
asked for an honorary knighthood in exchange for their votes. Also, two Sunday Times reporters testified that they had been told that Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast and Issa Hayatou
of Cameroon were each paid $1.5 million to support Qatar's bid for the tournament. All four have denied the allegations. Mohammed bin Hammam
, who played a key role in securing the games for Qatar, withdrew as a candidate for president of FIFA in May 2011 after being accused of bribing 25 FIFA officials to vote for his candidacy. Both Bin Hammam and Warner were suspended by FIFA in wake of these allegations, with Warner reacting to his suspension by questioning Blatter's conduct and adding that FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had also told him that Qatar had bought the 2022 World Cup. Valcke subsequently issued a statement denying he had suggested it was bribery, saying instead that the country had "used its financial muscle to lobby for support". Qatar officials denied any impropriety.
Such cooling techniques will be able to reduce temperatures from 45 to 25 degrees Celsius, which would be comfortable for players and spectators during matches, the bid also proposes these cooling technologies to be used in fan-zones, training pitches and walkways between Metro stations and stadiums.
However, these cooling technologies have never been tested within big stadiums and the Qataris are not able to guarantee that it will work. It also remains unclear how the Qataris will keep the fans cool outside the stadiums
is illegal in Qatar. FIFA President Sepp Blatter
stated that "we (FIFA) don't want any discrimination. What we want to do is open this game to everybody, and to open it to all cultures, and this is what we are doing in 2022,".
In 1995 an American citizen visiting Qatar was sentenced to six months in prison and 90 lashes, for homosexual activity. In the 1990s, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration informed Philippine workers that gay workers were prohibited in Qatar. This was in response to several mass arrests and deportations of Philippine workers in Qatar, for homosexuality.
participate in the World Cup on their territory despite not recognising the State of Israel, the head of Qatar’s World Cup bid said. Israeli athletes had competed previously in Qatar, such as Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er
in 2008. In addition, an Israeli also participated in the Doha 2010 Indoor Championships
.
2022 FIFA World Cup
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the 22nd FIFA World Cup, an international association football tournament that is scheduled to take place in 2022 in Qatar. The competition is scheduled to take place in June and July, although proposals have been made for a winter season. The tournament will involve...
. Qatar, with a population of 1.69 million people, will be the first Arab state
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
to host the World Cup.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, son of the present Emir of Qatar, was the chairman of the bid committee.
Qatar promoted their hosting of the tournament as representing the Arab World, and has drawn support from across the member states of the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
. They also positioned their bid as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab World and the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
.
Qatar gave a feel of what the World Cup would be like by holding a friendly match between Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
and Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
. Furthermore, people coming from different nations visited Qatar for this match and strengthened the image Qatar would depict of their interest in the World Cup 2022. Additionally, Qatar hosted the 2011 Asian Cup which had the lowest attendance for the cup in 11 years, since the tournament was held in Lebanon
2000 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...
. It was considered a warm-up for 2022.
President of FIFA Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
endorsed the idea of having a World Cup in the Arab World, saying in April 2010, "The Arabic world deserves a World Cup. They have 22 countries and have not had any opportunity to organise the tournament." Blatter also praised Qatar's progress, "When I was first in Qatar there were 400,000 people here and now there are 1.6 million. In terms of infrastructure, when you are able to organise the Asian Games (in 2006)
2006 Asian Games
The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event that was held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to December 15, 2006. Doha was the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia to host the games...
with more than 30 events for men and women, then that is not in question." On 2 December 2010, it was announced that Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Climate
Working against the Qatar bid was the extreme temperature in the desertDesert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
country. The World Cup always takes place during the European off-season in June and July. During this period the average daytime high in most of Qatar exceeds 50 °C (120 °F), the average daily low temperatures not dropping below 30 °C (86 °F). In response to this issue, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 2022 Qatar bid chairman, has stated, "the event has to be organized in June or July. We will have to take the help of technology to counter the harsh weather. We have already set in motion the process. A stadium with controlled temperature is the answer to the problem. We have other plans up our sleeves as well."
Qatar launched an advertising campaign across the country.
Schedule
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 15 January 2009 | Applications formally invited |
| 2 February 2009 | Closing date for registering intention to bid |
| 16 March 2009 | Deadline to submit completed bid registration forms |
| 14 May 2010 | Deadline for submission of full details of bid |
| 13–17 September 2010 | Inspection committee visits Qatar |
| 2 December 2010 | FIFA appoint Qatar as host for 2022 World Cup |
Proposed stadia
The first five proposed stadia for the World Cup were unveiled at the beginning of March 2010. The stadia will employ cooling technology capable of reducing temperatures within the stadium by up to 20 degrees Celsius, and the upper tiers of the stadia will be disassembled after the World Cup and donated to countries with less developed sports infrastructure. All of the five stadium projects launched have been designed by German architect Albert Speer & Partners.The Air Conditioning in the stadiums for both the players and spectators will be solar powered, carbon neutral and provided by Arup
Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. The firm is present in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the...
of England.
The Al-Khor Stadium is planned for Al-Khor city, located 50 kilometres north of Doha. The stadium will have a total capacity of 45,330, with 19,830 of the seats forming part of a temporary modular upper tier. The Al-Wakrah stadium, to be located in Al-Wakrah city in southern Qatar, will have a total capacity of 45,120 seats. The stadium will also contain a temporary upper tier of 25,500 seats. The stadium will be surrounded by large solar panels and will be decorated with Islamic art. The Al-Wakrah and Al-Khor stadiums would have been built regardless of whether Qatar was awarded the World Cup, according to the bid committee. However, the temporary upper-tier sections would not have been added if Qatar had lost the right to host the tournament.
| Al Daayen Al Daayen Al Daayen is a municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Daayen will host world cup 2022 games.-History:Al-Daayen Municipality is the seventh in the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, after the municipalities of Doha, Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al-Khor and Dhekra, and Al-Shamal... |
Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
Al Khor Al Khor Al Khor is a coastal city in northern Qatar, located 50 kilometers north of the capital, Doha. The name of the city means creek in Arabic as the town is located on a creek... |
Ash-Shamal | Al Wakrah Al Wakrah Al Wakrah is a city and municipality of Qatar located halfway between Ad Dawhah and Mesaieed municipalities. Al Wakrah's eastern edge is the shores of the Persian Gulf. Originally al wakra was a tiny fishing and pearling village. Now it has evolved into a small town with a population of more than... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lusail Iconic Stadium Lusail Iconic Stadium Lusail Iconic Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Lusail, Qatar in time for the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.The stadium will be used for the opening and final games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.... |
Khalifa International Stadium Khalifa International Stadium Khalifa International Stadium or also known as National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Doha, Qatar as part of the Doha Sports City complex, which also includes Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and the Aspire Tower. It is named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar's former Emir... |
Sports City Stadium Sports City Stadium Sports City Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Doha, Qatar in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar... |
Al-Khor Stadium Al-Khor Stadium Al-Khor Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Al Khor, Qatar in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.-Plans:The Al-Khor Stadium will take on an asymmetrical seashell motif, providing covered seating for all spectators... |
Al-Shamal Stadium Al-Shamal Stadium Al-Shamal Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Ash-Shamal, Qatar in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It will be one of the biggest stadium in Qatar, due be opened in Summer of 2017.-Plans:... |
Al-Wakrah Stadium Al-Wakrah Stadium Al-Wakrah Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The football team Al-Wakrah play there. The stadium holds a capacity of 20,000 people and has plans of expanding to 43,500.... |
| Capacity: 86,250 (planned) |
Capacity: 50,000 (plans to expand to 68,030) |
Capacity: 47,560 (planned) |
Capacity: 45,330 (planned) |
Capacity: 45,120 (planned) |
Capacity: 45,120 (planned) |
| Umm Salal Umm Salal Umm Salal is a municipality in the The State of Qatar.It contains several historic places, such as Barzan Tower. It also contains the new town of Lusail, which is located on the coast in the northern part of the municipality and a part of the district called New Doha... |
Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
Al Rayyan Al Rayyan Al-Rayyan is a municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Rayyan means 'the source of irrigation' and as per Islam it also means 'a door in heaven' or 'one of the Gates of Paradise' . Al-Rayyan is the only landlocked municipality of Qatar... |
Al Rayyan Al Rayyan Al-Rayyan is a municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Rayyan means 'the source of irrigation' and as per Islam it also means 'a door in heaven' or 'one of the Gates of Paradise' . Al-Rayyan is the only landlocked municipality of Qatar... |
Al Rayyan Al Rayyan Al-Rayyan is a municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Rayyan means 'the source of irrigation' and as per Islam it also means 'a door in heaven' or 'one of the Gates of Paradise' . Al-Rayyan is the only landlocked municipality of Qatar... |
Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
| Umm Salal Stadium Umm Salal Stadium Umm Salal Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Umm Salal, Qatar, in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.-Plans:Umm Salal Stadium will be able to support 45,120 fans. The conceptual design of the stadium is based on traditional Arabian forts. Post World Cup, the stadium will... |
Doha Port Stadium Doha Port Stadium Doha Port Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Doha, Qatar in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.... |
Education City Stadium Education City Stadium Education City Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Doha, Qatar, in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.... |
Al-Gharafa Stadium | Al Rayyan Stadium | Qatar University Stadium Qatar University Stadium Qatar University Stadium is a proposed football stadium which will be built in Doha, Qatar in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.-Plans:Qatar University Stadium is smaller than the majority of stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, holding only enough seating to accommodate 43,250 spectators... |
| Capacity: 45,120 (planned) |
Capacity: 44,950 (planned) |
Capacity: 45,350 (planned) |
Capacity: 21,282 (plans to expand to 44,740) |
Capacity: 21,282 (plans to expand to 44,740) |
Capacity: 43,520 (planned) |
| 150px |
Allegations of Bribery
During May 2011, allegations of bribery on the part of two members of the FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
Executive Committee were tabled by Lord Triesman of the English FA. These allegations were based on information from a whistleblower involved with the Qatari bid. FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
has since opened an internal inquiry into the matter, and a revote on the 2022 World Cup remains a possibility if the allegations are proven. FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
has admitted that there is a ground swell of popular support to re-hold the 2022 vote won by Qatar.
In testimony to a UK parliamentary inquiry board in May 2011, Lord Triesman
David Triesman, Baron Triesman
David Maxim Triesman, Baron Triesman is a former Chairman of the Football Association, a British politician, a Labour member of the House of Lords and previously a minister at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills....
alleged that Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner demanded $4 million for an education center in his country and Paraguay's Nicolás Léoz
Nicolás Léoz
Nicolás Leoz Almirón is the current President of CONMEBOL . Leoz assumed the presidency in 1986 and in February 2006 he was reelected as President for the sixth time...
asked for an honorary knighthood in exchange for their votes. Also, two Sunday Times reporters testified that they had been told that Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast and Issa Hayatou
Issa Hayatou
Issa Hayatou is the president of the Confederation of African Football , named in 1987. In 2002, he ran for president of FIFA but was defeated by current president Sepp Blatter...
of Cameroon were each paid $1.5 million to support Qatar's bid for the tournament. All four have denied the allegations. Mohammed bin Hammam
Mohammed Bin Hammam
Mohamed bin Hammam is a Qatari who was formerly a football administrator and president of the Asian Football Confederation from 1 August 2002 to 14 June 2011, and a member of FIFA's 24-man executive committee from 1996 to 2011 for more than 15 years...
, who played a key role in securing the games for Qatar, withdrew as a candidate for president of FIFA in May 2011 after being accused of bribing 25 FIFA officials to vote for his candidacy. Both Bin Hammam and Warner were suspended by FIFA in wake of these allegations, with Warner reacting to his suspension by questioning Blatter's conduct and adding that FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had also told him that Qatar had bought the 2022 World Cup. Valcke subsequently issued a statement denying he had suggested it was bribery, saying instead that the country had "used its financial muscle to lobby for support". Qatar officials denied any impropriety.
Weather
The World Cup is usually held in the northern hemisphere summer. During this season in Qatar, the temperature can get to 50 °C (122 °F). Qatar says that this will not be a problem for it hosting the World Cup. A section from Qatar 2022 Bid official site explains:- "Each of the five stadiums will harness the power of the suns rays to provide a cool environment for players and fans by converting solar energy into electricity that will then be used to cool both fans and players at the stadiums. When games are not taking place, the solar installations at the stadia will export energy onto the power grid. During matches, the stadia will draw energy from the grid. This is the basis for the stadiums’ carbon-neutrality. Along with the stadiums, we plan to make the cooling technologies we’ve developed available to other countries in hot climates, so that they too can host major sporting events."
Such cooling techniques will be able to reduce temperatures from 45 to 25 degrees Celsius, which would be comfortable for players and spectators during matches, the bid also proposes these cooling technologies to be used in fan-zones, training pitches and walkways between Metro stations and stadiums.
However, these cooling technologies have never been tested within big stadiums and the Qataris are not able to guarantee that it will work. It also remains unclear how the Qataris will keep the fans cool outside the stadiums
Alcohol
Qatar is not a dry country. Alcohol can currently be consumed legally in a few clubs, bars, certain hotel restaurants, and the Pearl island by showing your passport for reporting. The question of whether alcohol was allowed to be consumed in additional areas and at the games themselves was asked, Hassan Abdulla al Thawadi, chief executive of the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, said the Muslim state would also permit alcohol consumption during the World Cup. A few specific fan-zones will be set up during the event, they will provide alcohol for sale.Homosexual fans
The selection of Qatar as hosts attracted controversy, as homosexualityHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
is illegal in Qatar. FIFA President Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
stated that "we (FIFA) don't want any discrimination. What we want to do is open this game to everybody, and to open it to all cultures, and this is what we are doing in 2022,".
In 1995 an American citizen visiting Qatar was sentenced to six months in prison and 90 lashes, for homosexual activity. In the 1990s, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration informed Philippine workers that gay workers were prohibited in Qatar. This was in response to several mass arrests and deportations of Philippine workers in Qatar, for homosexuality.
Israel
During and after the bidding process, the Qatari government stated that it would let the Israel national football teamIsrael national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
participate in the World Cup on their territory despite not recognising the State of Israel, the head of Qatar’s World Cup bid said. Israeli athletes had competed previously in Qatar, such as Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er
Shahar Pe'er is an Israeli professional tennis player. Her career-high singles ranking is World No. 11, which she achieved on January 31, 2011 ....
in 2008. In addition, an Israeli also participated in the Doha 2010 Indoor Championships
2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics was held between 12 and 14 March at the ASPIRE Dome in Doha, Qatar. The championships was the first of six IAAF World Athletics Series events to take place in 2010.-Bidding and organisation:...
.