The World Cup 2022 is upon us. It may look and feel different to previous ones, but that doesn’t stop us at Halliford Colts being very excited about it ahead of today’s opener. Below are just a few funs facts for the weeks’ ahead:
- Qatar – despite several attempts, this is the first time they have made the World Cup (the host automatically qualify). Part of the Middle East, it’s neighbours Saudi Arabia and Iran will also both be in the competition. Doha, the country’s capital, is home to over 80% of the country’s inhabitants. Run by a hereditary monarchy, it is a majority Muslim country (~66%).
- First Winter World Cup – usually held in Summertime, this is the first time it has been held in the Winter. It was moved by FIFA when Qatar won the tournament, due to the high temperatures in that country during the summer (up to an unbelievable 50⁰C!).
- Air-Conditioned stadiums – despite it being held in Wintertime, it is still going to be very hot as it is held in the Middle East. For the first time ever, the stadiums are going to be fully air conditioned for the tournament.
- Only eight stadiums – there will be 32 teams and 64 games to go through, but these will be played across just eight stadiums. Of these stadiums, one was renovated and seven had to be build for the purpose. In fact, one of the new ones will be completely dismantled after the World Cup and could be shipped to countries that need it. As it is such a small country, one positive is there won’t be much travelling for any of the teams, even if they play across different stadiums, as the maximum distance between them is 90 miles apart.
- Most expensive ever? – Estimates put the cost at an extraordinary US$200bn, due to all the infrastructure investments (stadiums, highways, hotels, etc). Wow!
- Female referees – for the first time in World Cup history, there will be female officials. Of the 36 match day officials, Salima Mukansanga, aged 33, Yoshimi Yamashita, aged 36, and Stephanie Frappart, aged 38 are part of the team.
- African Coaches – for the first time all the African nations are managed by their countrypeople i.e., Walid Regragui (Morocco), Aliou Cissé (Senegal), Rigobert Song (Cameroon), Jalel Kadri (Tunisia), and Otto Addo (Ghana).
- Whilst some of the greatest players will be there, there are also some big players missing this year’s competition. These include:
- Because of injury: Christopher Nkunku (France), N’Golo Kanté (France), Paul Pogba (France), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Marcus Reus (Germany), Diogo Jota (Portugal), Amine Harit (Morocco), Presnel Kimpembe (France), Reece James (England), Ben Chilwell (England), Pedro Neto (Portugal), Georgino Wijnaldum (Netherlands), Timo Werner (Germany), Phillipe Coutinho (Brazil), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Spain), Arthur Melo (Brazil), Yuta Nakayama (Japan), Jojo Wallacott (Ghana), Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) and Karim Benzema (France).
- Because their team didn’t qualify: Erling Haaland (Norway), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Mo Salah (Egypt), Luis Diaz (Colombia), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Martin Odegaard (Norway), Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) and Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy).
- Surprise exclusions: Sergio Ramos (Spain), Jadon Sancho (England), Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina), Adnan Januzaj (Belgium), Roberto Firmino (Brazil), Gabriel (Brazil), Joelinton (Brazil), Duje Caleta-Car (Croatia), Anthony Martial (France), Mats Hummels (Germany), Donny Van de Beek (Netherlands), Renato Sanches (Portugal), Thiago Alcantara (Spain), David De Gea (Spain), we could go on…
We’ll be watching closely and enjoying every minute whatever! Who’s your money on? Who would you like to win it? Will Qatar 2022 create the legacy in the country/region FIFA desires?
If you or your children are interested in being the next Christiano Ronaldo, or Lionel Messi, why not join our Soccer School or one of Our Teams? Please contact us today at [email protected] as we’d love to hear from you!
It’s coming home, it’s coming… football’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming… (sorry, couldn’t help it…)