OBEY THE RULES AND SCOTS WILL LOVE FINALS
2022 WORLD CUP DRAWS HOW IT ALL STACKS UP
checking into their hotel room. And in a Muslim country where women are expected to dress conservatively, there were plenty of scantily-clad Flamengo fans kitted out as they would be back in Rio de Janeiro.
The fact homosexuality is illegal was another of the main reasons critics were against Qatar being awarded the World Cup. Paul Amann, founder of Liverpool’s LGBT+ supporters’ club Kop Outs, took up an invitation from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the organisation tasked with delivering the tourney.
He said: “I’m very satisfied that their approach is to provide an ‘everyone is welcome’ ethos that does include respect, albeit through privacy. I’m not sure if rainbow flags generally will ever be accepted ‘in-country’ but maybe in stadia.” Allegations of bribery, strenuously denied by the Qatar bid team, and the country’s human rights record are two other controversies.
Bedouin tents and camels have long been replaced by cranes in Doha’s West Bay with one skyscraper after another, while work continues in the stadia with two of the eight World Cup venues match ready.
Preparations have been dogged by criticism of treatment of migrant workers and beset, according to figures published by tournament organisers, by three “work-related” deaths on official World Cup sites.
Its latest workers’ welfare report, covering February 2018 until January, also reported 10 “non-work related” deaths away from building sites, with acute heart or respiratory failure among causes listed. The hosts assert there have already been signs of major reform and progress across the region to address rights and concerns.
The stunning Khalifa International Stadium has been used for the Club World Cup with Record Sport given a tour of the Al Janoub Stadium, the other arena in use. It is fully air-conditioned with mechanical engineer Dr Saud Abdul Ghani (aka “Dr Cool”) behind the groundbreaking technology that allows the temperature to be controlled inside the stadium.
Designed to cope with stifling heat and humidity, the irony is it is the weather outside that has been the biggest problem.
Finals draw – April 2022 Number of teams – 32 (48 from 2026) Opening game – November 21 World Cup Final – December 18 Venues – 8 Average cost of Club World Cup semi-final ticket – £35
Average summer temperature – 35C Average winter temperature – 25C Bottle of red wine – £29 Pint of beer – £6 Litre of petrol – 40p McDonald’s meal – £4