Top 10 Interesting Facts About FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The lavish opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2022, which Qatar is hosting, took place on November 20. The Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman and Qatari social media personality Ghanim al-Muftah hosted the ceremony. It was a star-studded event held in Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. Ghanim al-Muftah delivered a message of inclusivity before the Holy Quran was recited. Additionally, Jung-kook, a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, gave a World Cup performance of his solo hit, “Dreamers”. The ceremony came to a successful conclusion, as Qatar and Ecuador played in the opening World Cup game.

 

The FIFA World Cup has begun in earnest with 65 scheduled games between a total of 32 countries at eight locations in Qatar. However, despite numerous debates and numerous firsts, it has mostly gone unnoticed. Here are 10 likely-unknown facts about the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar:

1. Quranic readings during the inaugural ceremony

The crowd enjoyed the recitation of The Holy Quran’s verses from Surah al-Hujurat before the World Cup 2022 began. An influencer from Qatar named Ghanim Al Muftah recited the following verses:

“Oh, folks! In order for you to get to know one another, We fashioned you into different races and tribes from a man and a female. Before Allah, the most upright of you is the finest. 13:1 of Surah Al-Hujurat

2. Is this Messi and Ronaldo’s final World Cup?

The sad news is that football giants Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are probably the most polarising players in soccer history, will likely play in their final international competition at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

3. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in the first Middle Eastern and Muslim nation

With a population of 2.8 million, Qatar became the first Muslim-majority nation in the Gulf to host the FIFA World Cup. Back in 2010, Qatar defeated the USA, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. It significantly won the right to host the World Cup.

4. Pakistan’s Participation in the 2022 World Cup

Despite not participating in the World Cup, Pakistan has still contributed significantly to this year’s competition in two different ways.

Consequently, the production of around one-third of the total quantity of the “Al Rihla” ball, used in World Cup matches, is the responsibility of Pakistan. Forward Sports, a Sialkot-based business, produced these balls.

Pakistan reportedly dispatched 4500 infantry soldiers to Doha in October for World Cup security, according to DW. “The deployment is made on the special request of the Qatari government,” a Pakistani security official said. “The number of troops was asked by the Qatari authorities bearing in mind the Pakistan army’s connections with Qatar”.

5. Qatar’s inaugural involvement in the competition

Qatar’s national football squad will be competing in the World Cup for the first time in 2022. However, thanks to the host nation’s automatic qualification. But Qatar is the first nation to drop its first World Cup game.

6 The first-ever FIFA World Cup played in the winter

CNN reports that the World Cup has never been held between November and December before. Typically, the tournament is held in the summer months of May, June, and July. Due to the severe heat in the summer, Qatar has experienced this. All eight of Qatar’s stadiums have air conditioning, even though the weather is more bearable in the month of November.

7. The opening ceremony was not shown by BBC

British news source The fact that BBC chose not to broadcast the opening ceremony resulted in strong criticism of the publication. This is the first time that a major worldwide event has occurred without BBC coverage.

8. Qatar Banned from the World Cup

Despite having hosted the previous World Cup in 2018, FIFA has prohibited Russia from taking part in this year’s tournament as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

9. There is no alcohol available in the stadiums

Just two days prior to the start of the tournament, Qatar modified its rules regarding the sale of alcohol to spectators. However, despite being highly controlled in the Muslim nation, alcohol was planned to be provided “in select locations within stadiums,” according to the BBC.

10. World Cup controversies involving Qatar

Regarding the 2022 World Cup, there have been numerous problems surrounding Qatar. First of all, it has come under fire from the public following reports that 6500 migrant laborers, including those from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, perished while working on the stadiums in Qatar. Furthermore, there has been discussion about Qatar’s position on the LGBTQ movement in international forums.

 

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