(From L) Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photograph during a symbolic transfer of the authority to Qatar to host the World Cup 2022 at the Kremlin in Moscow on Sunday — AFP MOSCOW, July 15 (Reuters): Germany came out of its shell, South Africa exceeded expectations and Russia changed negative perceptions when they all hosted the World Cup but just what will unfold in four years' time when the tournament goes to Qatar is anyone's guess.
There is only one certainty - it will be an event like no other.
The small gulf kingdom, which stretches only 180km from one end to the other, is unlike any previous host with little sporting tradition, a population of just over 2.5 millions, has never played at the World Cup and is so hot in the customary mid-year window for the tournament that it has moved towards the end of the year.
But what oil-rich Qatar does have is fabulous wealth, enough to persuade FIFA to allow them to host even though that selection process has since been clouded by allegations of bribery.
The first Arab country to host the event are planning eight new stadiums for the tournament, with one completed, two more due this year and the rest scheduled to be finished by 2021. None is more than 35km from the center of the capital Doha and all serviced by a brand new metro system.
Furious construction has led to allegations of exploitation of migrant workers building the new infra structure with human rights organizations condemning labor practices in the country.
"We are ready based on the path we have set," said Hassan Al Thawadi, the secretary-general of the Qatar 2022 organizing committee, in Moscow with a delegation of more than 100 officials shadowing the Russians.
FIFA confirmed that the tournament will be hosted from November 21-December 18, 2022, but whether it will be a 32-team event or expand to 48 remains to be decided.
"It will be a common decision taken between FIFA and Qatar and we are now studying the feasibility of expanding it to a 48-team World Cup. However, all preparations are on the basis of 32 teams," Al Thawadi added.
Changing the timing of the tournament will disrupt major league seasons and has set FIFA on a collision course with the powerful European clubs but the Qataris are seeking to put a positive spin on the change, claiming it could lead to more exciting soccer.
"Players will be mid-season, not at the end of their seasons, at a time when they can be at their peak of their performance levels," Al Thawadi said.
Qatar will also relax laws on the consumption of alcohol, planning areas for visiting fans where alcohol can be consumed to ensure they replicate the party atmosphere of past tournaments.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over the mantle of World Cup host to the emir of Qatar, whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.
The ceremony marked a handover from the world's largest country by landmass to one of the smallest. Qatar has a population of 2.3 million people and an area slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.
Qatar's size, as well as its broiling temperatures and its lack of ready stadium infra-structure, have prompted some to question the decision by FIFA, soccer's world governing body, to make it host. Qatar's rulers say they will rise to the challenge.
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