The tournament 62.5% of the world plans to watch
Image: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
Get ready to see more kicking than a bass drum – and more flopping than a fishing competition. The 2022 FIFA World Cup officially begins on Sunday, kicking off a month-long tournament that’s projected to draw more than 5 billion unique viewers around the world, an all-time record for any single event.
This year also marks the first time the World Cup will be played in the Middle East, as well as the first time it’ll take place in November and December (due to the hot climate).
⚽ Here’s how it works: The World Cup features 32 national teams, split into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group then advance to the knockout stage, which is a winner-take-all bracket.
- Beginning on Sunday, every day through December 7 will feature at least one game of soccer. The tournament’s final match is set for December 18.
✋ But it’s not all fun and games… Qatar’s World Cup hosting has been dogged by controversy around hosting the World Cup ever since it won the rights in late 2010.
- Journalists, lawmakers, and eventually the DOJ have all accused the country of securing the bid by bribing more than half of the FIFA officials who participated in the vote.
- Human rights orgs reported that thousands of migrant workers died or were severely injured while building the infrastructure for Qatar to host the World Cup.
- More recently, some players and activist groups have expressed concern over the country’s strict ban on homosexuality.
👀 Looking ahead… More than 1.2 million soccer fans are expected to visit Qatar over the next month, a number representing ~50% of the country’s entire population. And, uh, maybe don’t expect too many videos.
📊 Flash poll: Do you agree with FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar?
See a 360° view of what the media is saying →
Sprinkles in favor of holding the World Cup in Qatar
- Some commentators argue that the Qatari World Cup is an overall win for globalization as the ~$200 billion invested in the country’s infrastructure not only helped it be ready to host the tournament, but also helped accelerate its transition away from third-world status.
- Others contend that 2022 should be celebrated for giving Qatar the opportunity to give the global public a better understanding of the country, culture and region.
- “Qatar’s World Cup Is a Win for Globalization” –Adrian Wooldridge, Bloomberg
- “Why the Middle East deserves the opportunity to host soccer’s biggest event” –Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the US
- “'Hypocrite West' ignores Qatar's progress on human rights” –Burak Elmali, TRT World
Sprinkles against holding the World Cup in Qatar
- Some commentators argue that Qatar is a despotic kleptocracy that’s a fair-weather American ally at best, and should never have been picked to host the World Cup in the first place.
- Others contend that hosting the World Cup in Qatar is damaging to football (soccer)’s image as a whole, since billions of viewers worldwide will tune in and hear of the abuses carried out by the host nation.
- “2022 World Cup in Qatar a Disgrace” –Bobby Miller, National Review
- “Sportwashing stains football’s image” –The Guardian Editorial Board
- “Let’s call out the Qatar World Cup for what it really is” –Roger Bennett and Tommy Vietor, CNN
Share this!
Recent Discussion stories
Discussion
| November 16, 2022Trump launches his 2024 campaign
🗳️ In a speech from his Mar-a-Lago estate last night, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to run for president in 2024.
Discussion
| November 14, 2022The Senate has been decided
🗳️ Incumbent Democratic senators in Arizona and Nevada officially defeated their Republican challengers over the weekend, ensuring that Dems will retain a majority in the upper chamber. In the House, Republicans are currently favored to win a narrow majority, but it hinges on ~24 races yet to be called.
Discussion
| November 11, 2022Voting may be done, but midterms aren’t over
🗳️ The 2022 election results are coming into clearer focus: Republicans will likely win a narrow House majority, while control of the Senate is down to three undecided races in AZ, GA, and NV. Plus, drugs and slavery were on several state ballots.
You've made it this far...
Let's make our relationship official, no 💍 or elaborate proposal required. Learn and stay entertained, for free.👇
All of our news is 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime; the quiz takes ~10 seconds to complete