Everything You Need to Know about World Cup 2022

This year, the football World Cup is set to take place in Qatar in November and December. While football fans are anxious to see the competition, this is also set to be one of the most controversial FIFA World Cups in history.

Below you will find essential information about the upcoming World Cup as well as information on the controversies to ensure that you are thoroughly informed.

World Cup 2022 – Essential Information

Dates – 20 November until 18 December 2022

Kick-Off Timings 

These will be different for the different stages of the competition (given below in local times).

1. Group Stage – 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm
2. Quarter Finals – 6 pm and 10 pm
3. Semi-Finals – 10pm
4. Finals – 6 pm

Match Venues

There are eight match venues across Qatar within a 75-kilometre radius of the capital city Doha.

1. Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor (60,000 capacity)
2. Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah (40,000 capacity)
3. Al Rayyan Stadium in Al Rayyan (40,000 capacity)
4. Khalifa International Stadium in Doha (40,000 capacity)
5. Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Ras Abu Aboud (40,000 capacity)
6. Al Thumama Stadium in Doha (40,000 capacity)
7. Education City Stadium in Doha (40,000 capacity)
8. Lusail Stadium in Lusail (80,000 capacity)

Team Participating

1. Group A – Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands
2. Group B – England, Iran, USA, and Wales
3. Group C – Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland
4. Group D – France, Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia
5. Group E – Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan
6. Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia
7. Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon
8. Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and the Republic of Korea

Tickets 

1.2 million tickets have already been sold by FIFA based on the application-based model. More tickets will be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis, but it is still unknown when these will be released.

Based on previous years, group tickets are likely to cost between $100 and $210 USD, while tickets for the final are likely to cost $500-1,100 USD.

Visa Requirements 

Citizens from 80 countries have visa-free entry to Qatar for tourism. A complete list of countries covered by the agreement is available here.

Alcohol Availability 

In this predominantly Muslim country, alcohol is not widely available, and drinking in the street is not permitted. However, hotels will have licenses to serve alcohol to foreigners, and there will be other designated areas close to the stadiums.

Why is The World Cup 2022 in The Winter?

Many football fans are asking themselves why the World Cup 2022 is being held during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere when it usually takes place in the summer months. This is because the temperatures in Qatar during the summer are just too hot for matches, with temperatures reaching 35 to 45 degrees Celsius. 

During November and December, temperatures are between 15-24 degrees Celsius. This will be much more manageable for both players and fans.

Why is The World Cup 2022 Controversial?

There are several reasons why the upcoming World Cup in Qatar is controversial, beyond the unusual dates.

Corruption and Bribery

Qatar is not known as a footballing nation, so it was a surprise when it received the 2020 tournament 12 years ago when it was ranked 113th in the world. There have been accusations of both bribery and corruption in the assignment, and several important voices in the world of football have called the assignment a mistake, including ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-Head of the German Football Association, Theo Zwanziger.

Exploitation

Preparing for a World Cup always means a big investment in local infrastructure to build stadiums big enough to hold fans; ensure public transport is up to the job, and strengthen the local tourism industry to receive huge numbers of visitors.

But Qatar has been accused of human rights abuses in its recruitment and use of migrant workers from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to prepare for the event. The country is accused of unscrupulous recruitment practices, underpaying workers, and consigning them to appalling living conditions.

There is also evidence of frequent health and safety violations that have led to injuries and even deaths with no consequences.

Prejudice and Safety

Qatar is a socially conservative country where it is illegal to be openly LGBTQ+. Not only are there questions about FIFA’s supporting this attitude by holding the tournament in Qatar, but there are fears for the safety of LGBTQ+ players and fans. While advocacy groups for fans have tried to seek reassurances for their safety, to date, the Qatar Supreme Committee, which is organizing the World Cup, has refused to provide any such reassurances.

Notably, in the Euro, many fans and players chose to carry pride flags into the stadium. There have been no assurances that if they choose to do so in Qatar 2022, they will not be harassed by Qatari police or that police may protect them from other fans.

Rather, Qatari authorities have stated that while all are welcome regardless of race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality, they have also noted that they are a conservative society and that those traditions should be respected.

What Team is Likely to Win The World Cup in 2022?

While there are always upsets and unexpected turns, the five teams pegged as most likely to win the men’s World Cup in 2022 are Brazil, France, England, Spain, and Argentina.

When is The Women’s FIFA World Cup?

The Women’s FIFA World Cup happens one year after the men’s, so it will be held in 2023. It will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20.

If you are planning on going to Qatar for the World Cup, book your flight to Qatar today to experience its wonderful history, climate, and ideal hospitality.