On December 2, 2010, FIFA announced that Qatar would be awarded the honor of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup; Thus, the most popular competition in the world will be organized in the Middle East for the first time in the 92-year history of the tournament. Where Qatar had the honor of hosting the World Cup in the fourth ballot, outperforming Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States of America.
The Qatari file, which won the honor of organizing, was distinguished by providing the “best organization” for the World Cup ever, as all the stadiums proposed to organize the tournament are located only 60 kilometers from each other, except for one stadium. The organizing committee, in turn, pledged to construct nine new stadiums and to renovate three other stadiums. This impressed the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) with a unique architectural vision, in addition to an ambitious plan aimed at harnessing the energy of sunlight and using it to refresh players and the public in an environmentally friendly way.
The State of Qatar will host 31 other countries during the tournament. Compete in 64 matches that open and finale in Lusail’s premier stadium, which was built specifically for the World Cup and contains a carbon footprint (carbon-neutral).
It is expected that this tournament will leave a lasting legacy not only in Qatar, but in all countries of the world, after the organizers pledged to reshape 9 stadiums after the matches and provide 170,000 seats for developing countries, with the aim of developing their sports infrastructure.
upgrading the infrastructure
Qatar’s strategy to host the World Cup includes continuous infrastructure development; This will not only enable visitors and residents to enjoy the tournament, but will also lay the foundation for future growth and national development.
Qatar has pledged to spend up to $70 billion to build and expand a world-class infrastructure network; Although most of the existing road network in the State of Qatar was built in the last ten years, the government pledged to spend $20 billion to expand that network until 2016. These pledges include the construction of new main roads linking the new Hamad International Airport with all Qatari cities, in addition to a highway. It connects it to its neighbor, Bahrain.
Not only that; Rather, Qatar is developing, for the first time, a world-class railway network, after the Qatar Railways Company signed an agreement with Deutsche Bahn estimated at $26 billion in 2009. The agreement provided for a joint venture to establish an attractive and environmentally friendly metro network in Doha. Four lines connecting 98 stations over a distance of 300 kilometers. Whenever required, the lines will run in tunnels at ground level as public rail, connecting key locations such as Hamad International Airport, Lusail City’s urban development district, Education City and West Bay.
The agreement also provides for plans to establish a long-distance network that provides passenger and freight transportation through lines linking it to neighboring countries such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The long-distance network also includes a 180-kilometer express line that reaches Bahrain at a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, in addition to another 100-kilometer passenger line that reaches Saudi Arabia at a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour. Overall, the plans entail the construction of a 325 km freight transport network, and 270 km will be used as passenger services.
Finally, Qatar’s World Cup strategy envisions the construction of more than 55,000 hotels to provide additional rooms to be able to accommodate the overflow of World Cup guests. There are already plans in place to double the number of hotel rooms and the number of apartments for guests by 2022 to cover daily economic requirements. The government, as part of the Qatar National Vision for Economic Diversification policies until 2030, intends to contribute significant investments exceeding $17 billion alone in the coming years in order to increase the number of hotel rooms currently in Qatar. The government has also pledged to build 64 team camp facilities, which include 32 hotels and 32 training sites, to accommodate all teams.
