Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: November 23, 2022 | 
| 中文
Saudi Arabian players after winning the match against Argentina
The 22nd FIFA World Cup (WC) began amid huge fanfare and controversy on Sunday, 20th November, in Qatar. Group matches are underway as the tournament makes its debut in the Middle East, and its final is scheduled on the 18th of December in Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar.
Out of 21 WCs that have been held so far, this is the first time that the FIFA WC is being hosted in the Middle East. The event was hosted eleven times in Europe, five times in South America, three times in North, and only once in Asia and Africa. The last time Asia hosted a FIFA WC was in 2002, when Japan and South Korea co-hosted the tournament that Brazil won.
The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022
Qatar has come under harsh criticism over the imposition of rules and regulations that clashed with European cultural traditions and practices. These include the ban of beer stations at the stadiums, in particular Budweiser, which is a major FIFA sponsor, public display of affection, and any public display of LGBT identity. Qatar came under criticism for its treatment of migrant workers who make up 90 percent of its labour force. A 2021 investigative report by The Guardian found that more than 6500 workers from South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Philippines) had died in Qatar since 2010. While Qatar denies these allegations, calling them an exaggeration, but International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Amnesty International have confirmed the accusations of harsh working conditions, forced labour, lack of insurance policies and exploitation of the migrant workers in general.
Migrant workers in a stadium
Qatar, with a population of three million, is so far the smallest country to host the FIFA World Cup. It has spent lavishly for organizing the event, from lobbying to get the hosting rights to building new stadiums and infrastructure. All of the 64 matches are being played in 8 stadiums, seven of them have been built in the last three years, with a cost of more than $6.5 billion. The grand Al Bayt Stadium has the capacity of 60,000 spectators. Lusail Iconic Stadium, where the final of the megaevent is scheduled, is the largest of them all, as it can accommodate eighty thousand spectators. Stadium 974, with a capacity of 40,000, is set to become the first disposable stadium in the world, as it will be dismantled afterwards. One million five hundred thousand people are expected to visit Qatar during the tournament, with an overload of passengers on their airports.
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
No upset was expected in the initial days of the tournament. The title holders, England, routed Iran, while the multiple finalists, Netherlands, beat Senegal, and Ecuador dashed any hopes of the host by beating them. Considered as the biggest upset in World Cup history, Saudi Arabia stunned everyone by beating one of the tournament’s favorites and two times World Champions, Argentina, by 2-1 on the 22nd of November. Bolstered by Lionel Messi’s presence, Argentina was considered a potential champion, as they had not lost any game since 2019 Copa America, after having played 35 games in this period.
Saudi players celebrate after beating Argentina
One of the most awaited matches would be played on Nov 26, between Argentina and Mexico. Both rivals are placed in Group C, and the rivalry of Copa America would be revisited here. It would be ‘Clash of the European Giants’ on Nov. 27, when Spain takes on Germany in a match of Group E. Spain has beaten Germany 6-0, when they met in the Nation’s League two years ago. Labeled as “The Mother of All Games Part II”, Iran will take on the United States on the 29th of November. Just like at the World Cup in 1998, when Iran beat the USA 2-1, the two countries will meet in a politically charged match of Group B. Diplomatic relations have yet to be fully restored between the two countries, after being severed in 1980. Ghana will have a chance to avenge their defeat of 2010, when they take on Uruguay in Group H match on the 2nd of December. Ghana would like to avenge its defeat of 2010, when in the last minute of extra time in a World Cup quarterfinal match, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez denied Ghana a much-deserved win.
A picture from the match between Ecuador and Qatar
Brazil, the number one team in the FIFA world rankings, are considered favorites to win this time around. Brazil has appeared in all editions of FIFA World Cup, winning five titles. Italy, which has been world champion four times in the past, ironically, failed to qualify this time. The Russian team has been suspended by FIFA because of the invasion of Ukraine and is missing from this tournament. Belgium, the highest-seeded team in Europe, England, Germany and Spain are not to be taken lightly. As for France, defending the title would be difficult as no team has retained its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionell Messi's new pic for the promotions of the FIFA World Cup 2022
Argentina’s Messi is in superb form these days. This is his fifth World Cup and the closest he ever got to the trophy was when Argentina ended up as runners-up in 2014. With a big Copa America title in his kitty last year, he would be hoping for the trophy, which has eluded him so far. Like for the 35-year-old Messi, this could also be the last World Cup for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. The leading scorer in men’s international soccer, Ronaldo hasn’t played in a World Cup final, let alone winning one. At 37, he will have a final go. The world will witness these two giants of the game for the last time in a World Cup for sure.
Al Rihla ball, made in Sialkot, is being used in the ongoing FIFA World Cup
Pakistan has a strong connection with the World Cup, for although, they may not have qualified for the tournament, but the footballs used during the tournament have been made in Pakistan. Named ‘Al-Rihla’, these match-balls have been prepared in Sialkot and have been used since 2014. Coming out from the stadium, Pakistan Army is the only armed force in the world, which has over four thousand troops managing the security. Police forces and security companies from over a dozen countries, including France, Jordan, Turkey, Britain and the US, are assisting Qatar to keep the competitions safe.
(L to R) FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune
This is the last time 32 teams are playing for the trophy. When the tournament will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, there will be 48 teams competing for the title. Brazil's win could make it the first team with six such titles, while a win for Germany would take them ahead of Italy and tie them with Brazil, as a country with most titles. There is also a strong chance that Lionel Messi, one of the greatest football players, ends the tournament with a title for Argentina, but for all the options, one has to go and watch the World Cup.
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