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The 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to be a tournament of firsts and full of controversies. Held between the 21st of November and the 18th of December, this World Cup will make history by being the first to be hosted by an Arab country. This is also only the second time the tournament has been held in Asia. Yet, the selection of Qatar as the host nation has drawn controversy from around the world due to the country’s history of human rights abuses, and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, amongst several other issues.
Qatar was named as host country back in December 2010, after dominating the selection process. The nation led in all 3 voting rounds for host country selection before beating the USA in round 4, achieving 14 votes from delegates out of the 22 votes available. This selection has long been shrouded by allegations of Qatari vote-buying, with two delegates being suspended before the 2010 voting process.
The selection of Qatar has been met with outcry from the LGBTQ+ community. Currently, in the gulf state, sexual acts between people of the same sex are illegal, and those who partake in such relations could face the death penalty. International groups representing LGBTQ+ fans have put forward action points they would like to see taken by FIFA and the Qatari government before the tournament starts. These action points include repealing laws that target LGBTQ+ fans, and ensuring their right of entry into Qatar. Despite World Cup chief, Hassan Al Thawadi, stating that “everyone will be welcome”, fans from this background are still wary of the nation’s policies.
On the 1st of April 2022, the final draw for groups was selected in Doha, placing all 32 teams into 8 groups consisting of 4 teams. In group A, the hosts are placed with Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands. This group will kick off the tournament, with Senegal facing the Netherlands in the purpose-built Al Thumama stadium in the capital, Doha.
Group B will see Euro 2020 runner-ups, England, placed against the USA, Iran, and the winner of the European playoffs. The European playoffs will see the 3 other teams in this group play against one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. Whoever wins in the match against Scotland and Ukraine in Glasgow on June 1st will face Wales at the group final in Cardiff on the 5th of June, which will confirm the final standing of the group.
Many hail the match against USA and Iran as an important diplomatic game, with hopes it will ease the tense diplomatic relations between the two as it did in 1998, where Iranian players gifted white roses to their US opponents as a sign of peace.
Group C is set to be an exciting group for Argentina, who are currently placed fourth in the men’s world rankings. They will face Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland in their fight for the top of the table. The first match will take place on the 22nd of November in the Lusail Iconic stadium which will host the World Cup final almost a month later on the 18th of December.
In group D, third-placed team France will take on Denmark, Tunisia, and the winner of the first inter-confederation playoff. This playoff will see the United Arab Emirates take on Australia in Doha as part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) fourth round; the winner of this game will then face Peru on the 13th of June in Doha, which will decide the winner of the playoffs.
We see a similar picture in group E, where Germany, Japan, and Spain are placed against each other and the winner of the second inter-confederation playoff. The winner of this will be decided on the 14th of June in Doha, when Costa Rica compete against New Zealand.
Group F promises to be an interesting group. Second-placed Belgium will try their luck against Canada, Croatia, and Morocco for group domination as the Belgian team looks to replicate their 2018 success, when they finished in an impressive third place. The first game of this group will take place on November 23rd, between Croatia and Morocco.
In group G, first-placed team Brazil will take on Serbia, Cameroon, and Switzerland as it vies to exit the group stages to look for its sixth win in the World Cup tournament. The fight between group members will commence on November 24th, as Switzerland and Cameroon will battle it out in the Al Janoub stadium in Al Wakrah, while Brazil and Serbia will play in Lusail.
That leaves group H. This group will see Portugal, South Korea, Ghana, and Uruguay battling for one of the top two places in their league, in order to progress further in the tournament. All four teams begin their World Cup journey on November 24th, when Uruguay and South Korea will face each other in the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, and Portugal will play Ghana in Stadium 974 in Doha.
These games are a welcome escape for anyone trying to forget the last two years of COVID restrictions and lockdowns, and a great time for football fans and patriots to root for their country as they play for world recognition. However, there is no hiding from the fact that this tournament will be remembered for, and marred by, the controversies surrounding the nation of Qatar.