Posted On: 16 September 2019 10:26 am

Updated On: 12 November 2020 10:18 am

Everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup 2022—one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. On September 3, 2019, the country celebrated the launch of the official emblem of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 that was unveiled at different iconic locations in Qatar and across the globe. With 65 matches and a maximum of 12 stadiums all planned for the epic 2022, there's not a single thing that could stop Qatar from getting itself more well-known globally sports-wise.

Let's have a look at all the facts about Qatar 2022 FIFA world cup!

Qatar at a glance

Population: 2.83 million
Capital city: Doha
Official language: Arabic (English is widely used)
Currency: Qatari riyal
Other facts:

Before the discovery of oil in 1940, Qatar’s economy focused on fishing and pearl hunting
Qatar has the third-highest natural gas reserves in the world
Home of Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar Airways and Aspire Academy
Qatar Sports Investments owns Paris Saint-Germain Football Club

Qatar 2022 – Key Facts

Here are some key facts about the tournament.

Timings (21 November 2022 – 18 December 2022)

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will kick off on 21 November 2022. The tournament will take place over 28 days, with the final being held on 18 December 2022, which is Qatar National Day.

Eight stadiums

Khalifa International Stadium was inaugurated following an extensive redevelopment on 19 May 2017. Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 when it hosted the Amir Cup final. Al Janoub Stadium is the first Qatar 2022 venue to be built from scratch. The 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium will host the opening match and final in 2022.

Six other stadiums are currently under construction. Main works on all stadiums will be completed two years before the tournament kicks off.

Compact tournament

The longest distance between stadiums will be just 55km (Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City to Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City). The shortest distance will be 5km (Al Rayyan Stadium to Education City Stadium). Fans will be able to attend more than one match a day during the group stage.

Innovation

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be the first fully demountable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup™ history. It will be built out of shipping containers and other modular building blocks that will be repurposed post-tournament into smaller sports and non-sports venues.

Total budget - $6.5 billion

The total budget for the stadiums and training sites Qatar is constructing.

Temperature - 18°C to 24°C

The average temperature expected during the tournament – meaning perfect conditions for players and fans.

Workers’ Welfare

The health and wellbeing of our workers is our top priority. There are currently more than 30,000 workers on our sites.

The SC’s Worker Welfare Standards cover ethical recruitment, accommodation and working conditions. Regular audits support compliance, while contractors in breach of the standards are subject to enforcement measures, including contract termination and blacklisting.

Click here for more information about Workers’ Welfare.

Football in Qatar

Qatar is the reigning champions of Asia after winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Qatar beat 2018 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Saudi Arabia, the Korea Republic and Japan on route to winning the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Other honours for the national team include the gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games, three Arabian Gulf Cup titles and one West Asian Football Federation championship.

Qatar also took part in the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, and will take part in the 2020 edition that will be held in Argentina and Colombia.

Qatar finished as runners-up in the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship and reached the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in 1992. More recently, Qatar finished third at the 2018 U23 AFC Asian Cup and won the 2014 U19 AFC Asian Cup. Qatar also qualified for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland.

The 12-team Qatar Stars League is the top professional league in Qatar. World Cup winner Xavi Hernandez currently coaches reigning champions Al Sadd after captaining the team for three seasons. Former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o and Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder also played in the league last season. Qatari side Al Sadd has won the AFC Champions League twice, in 1989 and 2011.

Flight times to Doha

Kuwait: 1hr 25min

Muscat: 1hr 50min

Mumbai: 4hr 5min

Istanbul: 4hr 10min

Moscow: 5hr 20min

Berlin: 5hr 55min

Madrid: 6hr 40min

Paris: 6hr 25 min

London: 6hr 45min

Beijing: 9hr 10min

New York: 12hr 30min

Sao Paulo: 15hr 15min

Los Angeles: 15hr 50min

Facilities for the fans

Approximately 1.5 million fans are expected to visit Qatar during the tournament.

Visa-free entry

Nationals from a total of 80 countries can take advantage of visa-free entry into Qatar.

Family-friendly atmosphere

Sun, beach, and water......there are plenty of activities in Qatar for fans to enjoy. From sunbathing at one of Qatar’s many beaches, to dune bashing and watersports, visitors will have plenty to do away from the football. Visit the National Tourism website for more information.

Alcohol

Alcohol is available to buy in Qatar in designated areas such as hotels. Fans who wish to buy alcohol in 2022 will be able to do so.

Safety

Qatar benefits from one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is consistently ranked as the safest country in the region. Qatar is working with international experts such as INTERPOL, the Council of Europe, the UK Home Office, French Gendarmerie and other partners to ensure the safety and security of visitors in 2022.

Accommodation

Fans will have a variety of accommodation options that suit every budget, including hotels, apartments, desert camps and cruise ships. Thanks to the compact nature of the tournament, fans, players and officials will only need to stay in one place throughout the tournament.

Getting around

Fans will arrive at the newly-built Hamad International Airport, which will have an annual capacity of 50,000,000 by 2022. Getting around will be easy thanks to public transport, notably the new metro system.

Central location

Hamad International Airport is a major transport hub and a vital link between the Americas, Europe and Asia. The extensive Qatar Airways network means passengers can fly directly to more than 150 destinations.