The Qatari bid for the 2022 World Cup was audacious, to say the least. As one of the smallest nations bidding, Qatar’s chances of winning were slim. Yet they did, and now we are left with a fascinating nation that will host one of the biggest sporting events in history. Qatar is a country where football is king. Passion for the beautiful game runs deep amongst its native population and ex-pat community alike: from children playing in makeshift pitches around Doha to international superstars playing for local clubs or ones based abroad. Football is much more than just a pastime for many in Qatar; it’s a lifestyle. However, this isn’t an article about the merits of football in Qatar but rather an overview of why so many people love it so much here…
Why is Football So Important to Qataris?
Football is a core component of Qatar’s national identity. It’s a sport that defines the country and its people, who are proud to have the world’s most prestigious football tournament coming to the Middle East for the very first time. And it’s not just the ordinary folk who are proud of the fact; the government has a vested interest in the sport, too. As a country, Qatar has poured millions of dollars into football, funding the construction of numerous stadiums around the world. The National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage has even gone as far as to say that football is “essential to Qatar’s cultural fabric” and that the sport has been a part of Qatar’s heritage “for decades.”
The Rise of Local Clubs
Football isn’t new to the Middle East. The sport has been played in the region for decades, with the first recorded match being played in Iran’s capital Tehran back in 1900. But it wasn’t until the early 2000s that football started to gain traction in Qatar, a country that is renowned for its sports fanaticism. The country’s first-ever league was formed in 2002 with five teams competing for the Emir cup. It was, however, in 2005 that the Premier League was formed and since then, the league has experienced rapid growth. The league now boasts 12 teams, with three more sets to enter the fray in future seasons, and is steadily growing in popularity. It’s not just the men’s league where football is growing, either. The women’s league, which is also currently comprised of 12 teams, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
FIFA and Qatar
FIFA has a long and rich history, but the last decade has seen the governing body of world football face unprecedented levels of controversy. The 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes were mired in corruption allegations, with Qatar’s successful bid being at the center of the controversy. The allegations leveled against the Qatar 2022 bid state that the payment of bribes were used to secure FIFA’s vote for the country to host the prestigious tournament. The Qataris have always maintained their innocence, but with FIFA’s recent decision to introduce a new integrity check for all member nations, Qatar’s name has been thrown back into the spotlight.
Celebrities who love Football
Football is a global sport; one that is loved by people across the planet. That being the case, it makes sense that Qatar’s love of football is reflected in the celebrities who call the country home. Many famous faces hail from Qatar. Some are ex-pats who have made the country their home, while others are native Qataris.
Here are a few celebrities who love football, and who have called Qatar home. – Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese football superstar is one of the most famous faces in the world. He is arguably one of the best footballers the game has ever seen, and he has the awards to prove it. He has won countless individual accolades, including four FIFA world player of the year awards. – Neymar. The Brazilian football starlet is arguably the best footballer on the planet at the moment.
He is a prolific goalscorer and is capable of winning games for his team single-handedly. He has been named the world’s most valuable player twice and is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He has also been included in the UEFA team of the year on six consecutive occasions. – Zinedine Zidane. The former French footballer is regarded by many as one of the greatest players in history. He has won just about every trophy available during his career, including the World Cup and the Champions League. He has also been named the best footballer in Europe on two occasions.
Just for show?
As you can see, Qatar’s love of football is deep-rooted and real. The country has a long history with the sport and its people genuinely adore the beautiful game. However, there is one question that remains unanswered. Does Qatar care about hosting the World Cup? The country has come under fire in recent years due to its poor human rights record. From its deplorable working conditions to its questionable treatment of migrant workers, many believe that Qatar doesn’t deserve to host the tournament. These critics believe that money talks and that the country will do whatever it takes to host the tournament. If that means making a few improvements to their record, then so be it.
Conclusion
Qatar’s rise to World Cup 2022 host was unexpected but understandable. The country is the richest nation in the world on a per capita basis, and it is home to the world’s most powerful sport: football. But for Qatar to truly become a footballing nation, it needs to do more than just host the tournament. It needs to make football an integral part of its national culture. That won’t be easy, though. It takes time to build a footballing culture, especially as the sport is already so well-established in the country. However, if anyone can do it, it’s Qatar. The country is incredibly ambitious and nothing is off the table. They want to be the best, and with football being such a core part of Qatari culture, you can’t help but think that Qatar will achieve its lofty goals.