A country widely recognized for its fine hospitality and numerous landmarks, Qatar amazes travelers at every step. From marvelous hotels to iconic shopping malls, this is a country that welcomes with open arms, and is set to do it again as it gears up to host the FIFA World Cup 2022.
8 stadiums, millions of fans and 32 teams battling for supremacy, the 2022 World Cup promises excitement like never before. So if you're a football fanatic ready to cheer up your favorite side in Qatar, we've compiled a list of amazing facts and details that are worth noting about the FIFA World Cup 2022 that is about to happen.
Details Worth Noticing About The FIFA World Cup 2022
The details mentioned below have been duly examined through multiple sources and aim to provide valuable information regarding the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
1. The Question Of Proximity
Here's a fact, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is not only to be full of entertainment but is also set to be the most accessible world cup ever. Yes, that's right. Being one of the smallest countries in the world, traveling around Qatar isn't a big hassle.
In fact, this is a country that is an estimated 1478 times smaller than the size of Russia, who was the last host of the FIFA World Cup. Having said that, the stadiums set for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are well connected through a metro network that runs for about 300 km and has 100 stations along the way.
Have a look at the two notable facts and figures depicting how accessible the 2022 World Cup would be.
- As per an estimate, the metro network in Qatar is expected to ferry about one million visitors during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
- Qatar's two most remotely located stadiums, Al Bayt, and Al Wakrah are only 90 miles apart.
Hence, for the fans to travel from one venue to the other venue, it wouldn't be much of a hassle as the stadiums would have a metro line connected. Likewise, with the Doha FIFA World Cup set to be the most accessible ever, it would be a big plus for those fans who suffer from any sort of condition and have to keep the geographical conditions in mind.
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2. First Ever Winter World Cup
Yes, you heard it. The Doha FIFA World Cup is officially set to be the first ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere. Not only this, but it is also set to be the first ever world cup to be held in a middle eastern country.
Before this, popular events like the world cup or other major sporting events used to take place during June and July in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the time when the region experiences winters.
However, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set.to be hosted by Qatar during November and December, making it the first of its kind. Besides, if you're worried about the weather of Qatar, November January is the time when Qatar records temperatures ranging between 20-25 degrees Celsius. Hence, visitors coming to enjoy the spectacle can expect to have the most joyous time full of footballing entertainment.
3. The First-Class Stadiums
Now here's a thing, a country widely renowned for its luxurious holidays, Qatar's fine Arabic hospitality isn't a surprise to any traveler. As for the 2022 World Cup, the country is set to take a step higher.
The new stadiums being built in Qatar will be equipped with all modern facilities along with all modern facilities and will be fully air-conditioned. The country is spending a whopping $200 billion USD for infrastructural projects in the wake of Fifa 2022.
There will be 70,000 outdoor lights set up during this time, and if that doesn't surprise you, well, about 84,000 tons of steel, double the amount which was in the making of Burj Khalifa, is being used for the infrastructural projects for FIFA 2022 which is a statement in itself.
So, what more could possibly think of this upcoming FIFA entertainment in 2022?
Suggested Read: All You Need to Know About the Stadiums for the FIFA 2022 World Cup
4. Flights To Pour In
A country well-connected with virtually all popular destinations, Qatar is one of the largest transit gateways for overseas travelers in the world today. However, in the wake of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in the country, Qatar Airways and the Hamad International Airport are set to join hands in order to bring a staggering 1300 flights into the country.
This sequence would last for a full month and, as the experts believe it, the number may even be higher owing to Qatar's central location in the world which makes an easily commutable destination for fans coming from all around the world.
Travelers would easily be able to book a flight to Qatar online. However, bookings will flood in and visitors may have to struggle to book their flight. Hence, early planning would be the key.
5. No Alcohol?
Well, apparently Qatar is a Muslim that has strict laws against the consumption of alcohol on the streets or at public places. Tourists traveling here cannot import alcohol into the country as that can lead to serious consequences.
However, there are licensed bars and hotels that serve alcohol to visitors but are not many in number. So, is the FIFA World Cup set to be a sober one this 2022?
Well, not really. As the chief executive of Qatar 2022 world cup, Hassan Abdulla al Thawadi said in an interview, during the world cup there will be certain establishments set up as fan zones where permission to serve alcohol will be granted.
Fans coming from around the world would be able to head over to these establishments and enjoy consuming alcohol. These arrangements have been specially made for the fans as otherwise consuming alcohol in Qatar means a big deal.
6. Top Of The Line Hospitality
One of the most notable facts about the country, Qatar is world-recognized for its fine Arabian hospitality. The hotels and other establishments for staying in the country have been serving visitors on their travel since the early days.
In fact, this is a country where just about everything has been designed keeping the convenience of visitors in mind. Head to a mall or sit around in any bar, every corner of the country has something special about it.
As for the 2022 World Cup, the hotels and resorts in the country are gearing up to welcome guests with full toll and some of the Ritz-Carlton and Intercontinental Doha who are already renowned for their services, would play a huge role in making the stay of fans worth remembering.
Suggested Read: Qatar FIFA World cup 2022; The Best accommodation to book your stay in Qatar?
7. Expect To Make Friends
Here's another fact that certainly compels travelers to visit Qatar on their holidays. The country is famed for its friendliness and generous attitude. With a total population of a little more than 2.7 million, the people in this country are as friendly as you can possibly expect them to be, and welcome visitors with open arms.
The best part? English is Qatar's premier language. Hence, the communication between visitors and natives doesn't get any easier. Besides, there's one thing that visitors need to be mindful of. If a Qatari native invites you to their house for a meal (which is something that often happens in Qatar as the people are generous and love having guests) never reject their invite as that is considered highly wrong in Qatar.
8. Safety In Qatar
Sporting events like a 2022 World Cup or any other major event attracts a lot of attention whenever it's hosted in any part of the world. While millions of fans and viewers come pouring in, security concerns become all the more evident.
History is a brim of evidence how certain events in the past have been disrupted by major terrorist activities or any kind of security breaches. Hence, the safety of the fans and the teams taking part in the event becomes a headache for the authorities.
But here's a thing, we've spoken about how welcoming the people of Qatar are and how well serving the country is. Well, here's another thing that is worth noting here. Qatar is officially one of the safest countries in the world today.
It has one of the lowest crime rates in the world with violent crimes being a thing of rarity. Hence, visitors, whether men or women, can move about freely during night hours. However, you should be properly dressed as per Qatar's culture which demands men to cover their knees and wear full sleeves, while women should cover their shoulders and knees.
Suggested Read: Doha: A Travel Guide To The Safest City In The World
9. FIFA 2022 To Receive Record Viewers
We spoke about how commutable the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to be. Well, just to add to it, the World Cup in 2022 is estimated to receive a record number of visitors. Why? The reason behind this is the location of Qatar.
This is a country that is located right at the center of the Earth and is set to receive more than 1.2 million visitors for the FIFA 2022. If these figures turn out to be true, then there will be twice the number of visitors coming to Qatar as compared to the number of visitors that came for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
As for the location, whether you're traveling from an Asian country, Europe, Africa or anywhere else, the location of Qatar is strategically perfect for the 2022 World Cup as it makes the country an easily commutable destination.
10. Fully Air-Conditioned Stadiums
Now we've talked about the way Stadiums will be developed, but air-conditioning is one one point that needs due consideration. Even though the Doha FIFA World Cup is set to take place in winter, temperatures in Qatar can rise to uncomfortable levels during the day time.
Hence, the country has come up with a solution which is set to be the first of its kind. The stadiums for the 2022 World Cup would be fully air-conditioned, which means the fans coming for the world cup don't need to worry about the day temperatures in the region and would be able to enjoy the spectacle in air-conditioning.
In a Nutshell
Being one of the most popular sports in the entire world, football is set to be grand as Qatar gets ready to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. 8 stadiums, 32 teams and over a million of fans are all gearing up for this amazing footballing spectacle. While it is still unclear as to what effect this world cup will have on the club seasons around the world considering this is the first ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere, the excitement speaks for itself as the teams prepare to battle it out on the field.
As for the preparations, Qatar is heavily investing on the infrastructure projects and is set to meet its deadline for the completion of projects. So, aren't you excited about the World Cup yet? Book your travel to Qatar to come and be a part of this grand footballing carnival.
FAQs
Qatar will be the country to host the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022. This will be the first ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere. Check out the above article for more information.
The Doha FIFA World Cup will commence on Monday, 21st November 2022 and will end on Sunday 18th December 2022.
Qatar recently announced the completion of its third venue, the Education City Stadium for the world cup.
The FIFA World Cup is a month spectacle for footballing fans and is hosted every four years.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has already been shifted to November and December owing to the extreme temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere during June and July.