Exactly five years from now, the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup will kick off in Qatar

Qatar has crossed a huge, historic milestone in relatively low-key fashion.

Exactly five years from today, the first ball will be kicked in the first game of the first FIFA World Cup of the Middle East.

On November 21, 2022, Qatar will be the centre of attraction as 32 teams begin their journey to battle it out for the greatest prize in world football, according to the Supreme Committee.

Qatar will be abuzz with excitement as fans from across the globe will attend matches at state-of-the-art stadiums.

For the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), 2022 will be the culmination of a dream that began in 2009, when the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee was formed.

Since December 2, 2010, when Qatar was awarded hosting rights in Zurich, Switzerland, numerous milestones have been achieved. 

While the Khalifa International Stadium was successfully redeveloped, seven other venues are currently under construction. Legacy programmes have been launched, including Generation Amazing, the Josoor Institute, Challenge 22 and Workers’ Welfare.

The SC also successfully organised a vast range of special events, including the Brazil 2014 Fan Zone at Katara, the annual Workers’ Cup and numerous community engagement initiatives, such as the Youth Panel and Accessibility Forum.
“Every day we’re working to deliver the promises we made in 2010. We remain determined to host the greatest World Cup of all time,” said SC’s Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi.

“We know the next five years will be just as challenging — if not more challenging — than the previous seven. However, we’re prepared to go the extra mile. For Qatar, this is about much more than football. We want this tournament to break down stereotypes, narrow the world’s cultural divides and bridge the gap between East and West,” he said.