The complete timeline of how Qatar came to host 2022 FIFA World Cup

The biggest football tournament is set to kick off in a few week's time

Due to Qatar's intense summer heat, this World Cup will be held from late November to mid-December, making it the first tournament not to be held in May, June, or July and to take place in the northern autumn; it will be played in a reduced timeframe of around 29 days.

December 2, 2010

Firstly, Qatar will become the first Middle Eastern host of the World Cup after Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, announced the 22 executive committee members had voted to award the 2022 tournament to a country of only 1.7m people, beating off the rival bids from the United States, who had been considered the favourites by many, Australia, South Korea and Japan. Finally, on December 2, 2010, it was announced. Also, Qatar has faced growing pressure over its hosting of the World Cup in relation to allegations over the role of a former top football official Mohammed Bin Hammam played in securing the bid.

May 2011

On May 2011 Whistleblower Phaedra al-Majid, who was part of Qatar’s World Cup bid, claimed Qatar paid $1.5m to African Football Confederation president Hayatou, Anouma and Nigeria’s suspended Amos Adamu. But, all three denied the allegations.

February 24, 2015

The 2022 World Cup moved to Qatar's winter season due to concerns over the extreme temperatures in the country during the summer.

September 25, 2015

FIFA announces the 2022 World Cup will start on November 21.

November 2015

Construction began in November 2015 and after seven years of work and billions of dollars spent, the country has finally produced some of the most impressive and architecturally breathtaking stadiums on the planet. Also. there are a total of eight stadiums for the world cup.

1. Al Bayt Stadium -  Host of the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador in Group A, 60,000 capacity.  Located in Al Khor City, 35 kilometres north of central Doha.
2. Lusail Iconic Stadium -  Host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final,  80,000 capacity.  Located in Lusail City, 20 kilometres north of central Doha.
3. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium - 40,000 capacity,  Located in Umm Al Afaei, 20 kilometres west of central Doha.
4. Al Janoub Stadium -  40,000 capacity,   Located in Al Wakrah, 22 kilometres east of central Doha.
5. Al Thumama Stadium -  40,000 capacity,  Located in Al Thumama, 12 kilometres south of central Doha.
6. Education City Stadium - 40,000 capacity, Located in Al Rayyan, 13 kilometres northwest of central Doha.
7. Khalifa International Stadium -  40,000 capacity,  Located in Aspire, 5 kilometres west of central Doha.
8. Stadium 974 -  Constructed from 974 recycled shipping containers.

May 19, 2017

Khalifa International Stadium becomes the first tournament-ready venue for the World Cup.

May 8, 2019

The first metro service opens to the public in Qatar's capital, Doha.

May 16. 2019

Al Janoub stadium is integrated. It is first Qatar's first venue for the tournament to be built from scratch.

May 23, 2019

FIFA abandons plans to expand the 2022 Qatar World cup to 48 teams.

2020

More than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago. Data from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka revealed there were 5,927 deaths of migrant workers in the period 2011–2020. The total death toll is significantly higher, as these figures do not include deaths from a number of countries which send large numbers of workers to Qatar, including the Philippines and Kenya. Deaths that occurred in the final months of 2020 are also not included.

There have been 37 deaths among workers directly linked to the construction of World Cup stadiums, of which 34 are classified as “non-work related” by the event’s organising committee. But behind the statistics lie countless stories of devastated families who have been left without their main breadwinner, struggling to gain compensation and confused about the circumstances of their loved one’s death.

December 2020

Embassies also recommend travellers not import pork and any product that could be interpreted as “pornography”. Sex outside marriage is illegal and can be punished by flogging though there is no record of when the sanction was last used. Finally, visitors who do not have a vaccine must wear a mask for 10 days after arrival. Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 will have to isolate for five days. Masks are compulsory in health facilities and recommended in stadiums.

February 2022

Alcohol is severely restricted to mainly foreign residents aged over 21. Passengers cannot bring alcohol into the country. Also, no alcohol will be sold in the eight stadiums, but there will be beer stands around the venues open until 30 minutes before each game and for one hour after. In the main FIFA fan zone, beer stands will open at 6.30 pm. Different opening rules will apply in other private fan zones.

September 2022

The teams' camps consist of four-star and five-star hotels, villas, resorts, and non-hotel accommodations, such as sports academy buildings, school dormitories and university residences, in addition to other facilities such as treatment rooms. All these places are distinguished by their ability to protect the privacy of the teams and were provided with all the necessary safety protocols. As for the training centres distributed throughout the country, some of them were renovated and others were built to the highest standards. Their proximity to the teams' base was also taken into account.

1 April 2022

The tournament's official mascot was unveiled on 1 April 2022, during the group stage draw. Qatar and FIFA have unveiled La’eeb as the Official Mascot for this year’s FIFA World Cup 2022. La’eeb is an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player. He belongs to a parallel mascot verse that is indescribable – everyone is invited to interpret what it looks like. Firstly, La’eeb encourages everyone to believe in themselves as ‘Now is All’. Secondly, he will bring the joy of football to everyone. Thirdly, La’eeb will be known for his youthful spirit; spreading joy and confidence everywhere he goes. La’eeb comes from a parallel world where tournament mascots live. Also, it is a world where ideas and creativity form the basis of characters that live in the minds of everyone.

April, 2022

In April, FIFA released the first single, titled “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” from the official soundtrack. The uplifting track, featuring Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha, fuses R&B and reggae influences. Four months later, the football federation released the second song from the soundtrack titled “Arhbo,” with Latin star Ozuna and French Congolese rapper Gims. “Arhbo” is a local slang word for “welcome” in Qatar and comes from the Arabic word “Marhaba.” Also, for the first time, the tournament’s soundtrack will feature a multi-song collection, with international artists “showcasing diverse musical genres that span the world, setting the tone for a truly global celebration”. 

August 11, 2022

FIFA announces the World Cup to start a day earlier than scheduled.