Question Marks in Front of Qatar Ahead of FIFA 2022

A country renowned for its fine Arabian hospitality and top of the line landmarks, Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. 32 teams, millions of fans, and a month-long footballing carnival, this event is to be huge and entirely different in many respects.

But here's a thing, as the competition edges ever closer and experts predicting a huge turnout of fans, there are significant question marks in front of the host nation that is worth paying attention to.

So in order to shed some light on the notable issues before the FIFA 2022 World Cup, we've brought a detailed round-up of some questions marks the host country Qatar faces before the world cup.

Question Marks in Front of Qatar Ahead of World Cup

Here's our detailed take on the issues that Qatar faces to meet the demands that the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to bring.

Issues of Accommodation

One of the biggest question marks in front of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in terms of the accommodation. The country has less than 40,000 hotel rooms while the organizers are planning to have about 70,000 rooms ahead of the tournament.

But here's a thing, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to be the most viewed world cup ever with experts predicting over a million fans to travel for the spectacle. If the numbers turn out to be true, then the accommodation is set to be a major issue in the country.

In fact, as per the reports, Qatar is set to build hotels and has even approached the organizers of Glastonbury, the well-renowned British music festival. The plan, in this case, is to set up tents in the desert to accommodate the visitors during the world cup.

Not only this, but the government in Qatar has even signed deals with a number of cruise liners that can accommodate a staggering 40,000 visitors during the course of the world cup. Hence, how Qatar manages to accommodate visitors during the FIFA 2022 games remains to be seen.

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Infrastructural Projects

Proper infrastructure is a massive question in front of Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The country is spending an estimated $200 billion USD on infrastructural projects ahead of the world cup. There are seven new stadiums being built for the FIFA 2022 and one is being refurbished.

This is, in fact, for the first time that the world cup is set to be played in only eight stadiums. Likewise, considering the hot temperatures Qatar during the summer months of June and July, the whole tournament has completely been shifted from its usual slot of summer months to November and December, making it officially the first-ever winter World Cup to be held in the Northern Hemisphere.

Notably so, even though the Doha FIFA World Cup is set to be played in winter, the stadiums that are being built are being equipped with cooling systems so as to keep them cool from the outside heat.

What's more? The country is building roads and highways connecting the stadiums as part of its ongoing infrastructure projects. In fact, Doha's first-ever subway system has already been unveiled. Hence, as far as the infrastructure is concerned, Qatar seems well on course to meet the ongoing demands.

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Migrant Workers' Rights

The rights of migrant workers remain a massive talking point in Qatar ahead of the world cup. Right since the time the country won the bid to host the Doha FIFA World Cup, criticism regarding its human rights record has only increased.

In fact, nearly hundreds of migrants who form about 90% of the country's population have died in the construction of these infrastructural projects for the upcoming world cup. However, as per the official records of the state, only three have died. Hence, Qatar has been pushed to its limit as far as migrants' rights are concerned.

The country has been forced to reform its labor laws ahead of the World Cup. The Kafala sponsorship system that prohibits the migrants from switching their job or leaving the country without their employer's approval has now been abolished by Qatar while the country is also reforming its worker protection rights. Not only this, but the minimum wages of the migrant workers in Qatar have also gone up by 25% in light of the new reforms.

Facts Around the Preparations for the FIFA 2022 World Cup

While there are considerable question marks in front of Qatar ahead of the Doha FIFA world cup, there are a number of facts and figures that present a somewhat clear picture of how the country is preparing for the world's biggest sporting event. Take a look at some of them.

Record Flights to Qatar-

That's right, the FIFA World Cup 2022 will see a record number of flights come to Qatar as the country is set to be the most visited world cup host nation ever. The Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways are set to join hands to bring a staggering 1300 flights in a day for the whole month.

Anyone wanting to see the spectacle live in the stadium would be able to book a flight to Qatar online without worrying about the rush for tickets. In fact, as per the expert, the location of Qatar is central in the world which may see a higher number of visitors coming to the country.

As per a figure emerging, the number of visitors in Qatar during the FIFA 2022 may even be thrice the number of visitors that were there in Brazil during the 2014 world cup.

Most Commutable World Cup Ever-

Considering the location of Qatar on the map and the fact that this is a small country, almost 1478 times smaller than the size of Russia who hosted the last world cup, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to be the most commutable world cup ever. So, here's what you need to know.

• The Doha Metro network which is about 300 km long and has 100 stations along the way is set to ferry an estimated 1 million visitors during the world cup. Notably, so, the metro network connects all 8 venues for the world which says a lot about how commutable the world is set to be.
• Qatar's two most remote stadiums, Al Bayt and Al Wakrah are only 90 miles apart. Not only this but the Education City Stadium which is one of the venues for the FIFA 2022 is located a mere 51 minutes from Bahrain through high-speed rail which makes it easily commutable for visitors coming from there.

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Infrastructural Projects-

The Doha FIFA World Cup will be the most expensive world cup ever owing to the vast amount of money the country is spending on infrastructural projects. With an estimated $200 billion USD being spent on projects, the country is set to make it big. There are numerous lights being set up and hotels being revamped to meet the demands and the standards of the world cup.

Stadiums like Khalifa International Stadium have been refurbished and more seating capacity has been added in accordance with the FIFA rules of minimum seating capacity requirement for the world cup.

In fact, Qatar is estimated to be spending at least $8 to $10 billion on each stadium. These stadiums are being designed for the comfort of fans and will be fully air-conditioned for the first time ever.

While there are many question marks in front of Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the country seems well on course to complete its infrastructural projects on time. Qatar Airways gears up to function record flights into the country and the hotels continue to revamp their facilities ahead of the world cup.

Having said that, there are considerable question marks in terms of the accommodation facilities available in the country. What is worrying is that the number of visitors coming to the world cup may even be higher than expected, and if turns out to be true, lodging facilities in Qatar may fall well short to meet the requirements of the world cup.

Hence, how the country overcomes these challenges remains to be seen.

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