TLDR: The mindblowing scale of Qatar’s World Cup preparations

THE FIFA World Cup started on Nov 20 with Qatar losing its opening game to Ecuador, and the football action continues over the next month as we build towards the grand final on Dec 18.

Twelve years after it was unveiled as this year’s host nation, Qatar is attaining many firsts and breaking numerous records in the 92-year history of the World Cup.

Here’s a summary of the most mind-boggling facts to underscore how huge this year’s tournament is:

The money spent, and the infrastructure built

• US$220 billion altogether. Qatar’s GDP is US$180 billion annually.

The firsts – and one last

• Qatar is the first year the World Cup is being held towards the end of the year, instead of in June - July, to avoid the intense summer heat in the country
• This is the first time that the World Cup is being staged in the Middle East.
• This is Qatar’s first appearance at the World Cup, having qualified automatically by virtue of being the host
• It will also be the last World Cup to feature 32 teams. The next tournament, to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico, will involve a record 48 teams.

Read more about the 2022 Qatar World Cup in this week’s Brunch.