FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 sets new benchmark for future hosts

As FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 entered the Round of 16, the great sporting spectacle on earth has set new benchmarks for future hosts.
Qatar’s investment in state-of-the-art sport stadiums and advanced facilities has ensured that players and fans have world class experience during the World Cup.
The compact nature of the tournament in Qatar means everything is close by – whether it is a stadium, training site or tourist attraction. While fans immerse themselves in the action, players are able to totally focus on football as there is no requirement for travel between matches.
This year’s tournament is the 22nd edition of international football’s showpiece event – and the first to take place in the Middle East.
Qatar is hosting the most compact edition of FIFA World Cup in modern history. All eight stadiums are within one hour’s drive of central Doha, meaning fans and players will always be in the thick of the action.
And uniquely in modern times, fans have had the chance to attend more than one match a day in the preliminary stages of the tournament.
Doha Metro has already become an “instant hit” with thousands of football fans from abroad and those residing in Qatar. Excellent crowd management has ensured that football fans have a safe and smooth travel experience.
Also, the world class facility is being provided to Hayya card holders, absolutely free.
Many football fans who spoke to Gulf Times were all praise for Qatar, for its excellent event and crowd management.
Since starting operations in 2019, Doha Metro’s state-of-the-art driverless system was specifically designed and built to handle large numbers of passengers and major events. Doha Metro underwent significant tests during several large events held previously.
As many as 110 trains are now operating 21 hours a day and more than 10,000 staff are manning the Doha Metro. From three cars, the Red Line is now running with six cars.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has clearly raised excitement around the world.
After the first round of FIFA World Cup group stage matches were completed, official figures released by FIFA showed that the average overall match attendance in stadiums across Qatar stands at an impressive 94% compared to stadium capacities for the event.
With all 32 nations having taken to the field – and more than 3mn tickets sold for the tournament – the strong attendance figures also follow the recent news that the preliminary comparable television viewing figures are up in nations across the world from the previous FIFA World Cup edition.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has become a sporting spectacle to remember for everyone who has already made it and will make it to Qatar – as well as the billions glued to their TVs and smartphones around the world.
For decades, hosting the World Cup was a distant dream – but now it has become a reality. Qatar’s hard work has indeed come to fruition and the country is now hosting an outstanding edition of the FIFA World Cup – one that will leave an important legacy for our country, the Middle East and globally.