200 days from Qatar 2022: the unknowns, wonders and luxuries of the most bizarre World Cup in history

The most exotic World Cup in history is underway … It’s a moment that seems to keep beating. There, in Zurich, after Joseph Blatter read five letters of astonishment -Qatar-, the representative of this country that will organize the 2022 World Cup, the then emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said: “I’m grateful for your belief in us. We are very proud. We will be able to organize a great World Cup.”

The first spark was lit in 2010, when FIFA decides to hold the World Cup in the Middle East twelve years later. But now there are only 200 days left for the 22nd World Cup in history. And, despite playing the entire World Cup for the first time in the 132 square kilometers enclosed in Doha, the venue is surprising and never ceases to amaze.

A good example was seen this Thursday, when the secretary general of the Organizing Committee, Hassan Al Thawadi, invited fans to visit the most emblematic venues of the World Cup venue. Which are? From now until May 10, tourists can tour Aspire Park, Lusail Marina, Souq Waqif and Msheireb Downtown Doha with special prizes. Doon, can shoot with the sacred football chalice: the crucial and golden FIFA Cup that escaped from the hands of Messi in Brazil 2014.

“This is going to be incredible, a historic moment in the history of Qatar and our region. For decades, organizing the World Cup was a distant dream, but now it is a reality and only 200 days left. We are ready to host a unique edition, which will leave an important legacy for our country, the Middle East and the rest of the world ”, said Al Thawadi who knows the countdown.

Another world

Qatar is so young that it seems unbelievable that it has already organized a World Cup for seniors (in 1995 he organized the Sub 20, which Argentina won). After the British decision to leave the Persian Gulf in 1971, it joined the Federation of Arab Emirates of the Persian Gulf (born in 1968). Upon achieving its independence (in 1971), Qatar withdrew from the Federation, signed a treaty of friendship with the British and joined the Arab League and UN.

Since, under the protection of the millions of oil-generated that flows from its landsthe country has not stopped growing: in its economy, in its infrastructure, in its population (in 1986, for example, there were only over 350,000 people), in its ability to present itself to the world from its short peninsula.

Beyond his appearances in the world press, especially through large contracts of top football players throughout retirement (such as Pep Guardiola, Gabriel Batistuta, Marcel Desailly, the De Boer brothers, Fernando Hierro, Romario, Claudio Caniggia, Juninho Pernambucano, Raúl González, Xavi Hernández, Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Sneijder, among others), large constructions or sports wonders from the nationalization of professionalsLittle is known about this territory.

Almost all of Qatar is Muslim. Apart from the native Arabs, many foreigners work in the country’s oil industry. Arabic is the official language, but English is also spoken by almost the entire population. Curious detail: it is estimated there are more than 10,000 Spanish speakers. Of the 2,641,669 inhabitants (according to the 2017 census) of this country that there is highest per capita income in Asia and sixth in the world, just over 20% are born under its sky.

It also happens that those born in Qatar have a benefit that allows them to live at leisure: the State, in exchange for nothing, pays them a minimum of 5,800 dollars as a subsidy. And they have many advantages for business development compared to those coming from other countries.

Soccer is the favorite window to present yourself to the world, it seems. It serves a visible case: PSG. In this soccer of millions and millionaires in the elite, there is one character who emerges as one of the new faces of soccer nowadays: Nasser Ghanim Al-Khelaifi. Born in Doha just over four decades ago, he was the first foreigner to hold the position of highest authority of the Parisian club.

infrastructure

There are several aspects that distinguish this World Cup from others. One of them is the change of date, leaving the traditional June-July to take place between November 21 and December 18. That is, the heat in the middle of the year in Qatar is burning even the soul. So, FIFA decided for the first time in history to run the calendar. What time will it be played? The matches will be played between 7 and 16 hours in Argentina. The final will be held at our noon.

Eight stadiums were built and 6.5 billion dollars were invested both for battle venues and training centers.

Far from petrodollars, the sports spirit (Olympic, if you will) is clearly visible in the bunkers of teams that in many cases are university campuses. For example, The Argentine National Team will remain at the University of Qatar. And it will share the area with Spain, although those directed by Luis Enrique will occupy another wing and will not cross paths with those of Lionel Scaloni.

There are already 41 base camps for 32 selections. Thirty -two, a number that said goodbye because it was the last World Cup with that number of participants. From now on, the circus will grow and there will be 48 countries participating in the world’s highest sport event.

One hundred and thirty -two square kilometers in pure football

Doha is a short territory: 132 square kilometers. A good example is from the Argentine bunker to Lusail Stadium, where the National Team will play two games, there are only 22 kilometers.

Perhaps that is the salient point of Qatar 2022: no more than 75 kilometers between one venue and another.: from Al Bayt stadium to Al Janoub. The shortest will be five kilometers: from Education City to Ahmad Bin Ali. Four games will be played per day.

The bad? One and a half million people are expected to travel to Qatar and many analysts have a hard time imagining what will happen to traffic during competition. Argentina striker Sebastián Tagliabúe told Clarín, from nearby United Arab Emirates: “Transit and lodgings will explode.” And the footballer goes on to come up with a solution: “Fans have to stop here or in some other nearby territory.”

Doha has an extensive subway network of 77 kilometers with 37 stations. The ticket cost is 0.55 cents a dollar.

There are at least five cities within fifty kilometers of Qatar (Ar Rayyān, Al Wukayr, Al Wakrah, Umm Şalāl Muḩammad and Umm Şalāl ‘Alī) that can serve as habitats. And, in addition to large hotels, trips to the Qatari coast are an option. The floating Scaloneta, the cruise ship that will dock in the port of Doha is an option. Obvious luxury. The mega-ship includes a package that includes entry to three group stage battles: Tuesday, November 22 at 4:00 pm-, Mexico -Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 am- and Poland -Wednesday, November 30 at 4:00 pm In addition, these days, a show is in question for one of the stars in Argentina who is now associated with one of the cracks of the National Team.

The cruise ship, which will have five floors, a swimming pool, theater for 1,500 people, dance club and other amenities with a capacity for 2,840 passengers, will cost $ 12,000.

But there will also be family homes to accommodate tourists. And there are even plans to sign up as a volunteer and travel to the World Cup without paying. According to an official document from the event organization, there are 130,000 rooms available to accommodate fans traveling to Qatar.

The Inaugural stadium and one of everyone’s dreams

Al Bayt, second with the largest capacity (60,000 spectators), will host the opening match, where there will be a host team as one of the stars. This is his first match in World Cup history. Meanwhile, the venue everyone wants, the final stage is the Lusail Stadium, with a capacity of 80,000 spectators. They said the same places They will offer luxury on every corner. It doesn’t seem like a surprise. Beyond the controversies.