In the midst of all this, the Gulf state of Qatar is not without flaws. The country has received harsh criticism for how it treats migrant workers and for its stringent laws.

Why The Controversy?

In the last few years, 30,000 workers from around Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the Philippines have been building facilities for the World Cup.

The Guardian reported in early February 2021 that 6,500 workers had died since the start of the World Cup preparations. Upon further survey, they expressed that embassies in Qatar provided this data.

Responding to these reports, the Qatari state government claimed that this was a misleading figure. They attribute the cause of death to old age and natural causes.

Many spectators and fans alike feel a sense of resentment toward the preceding events of the World Cup.

How did Qatar come to be the destination?

In 2010, Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup following the voting results by the FIFA executives. Exceeding bids from the US, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

Qatar becomes the first Arab nation to host the tournament.

Despite this, Qatar received legal charges of ($3.7m) bribery to FIFA officials to support their bids.

What should fans expect in Qatar?

Qatar has seven new stadiums, a new airport, a metro system, an improved road network, and 100 new hotels.

As a conservative Muslim country, alcohol consumption is only allowed in hotel bars. According to World Cup organizers, alcohol will be available in stadiums four hours before and an hour after kickoff.

Qatar will host 1.5 million fans  during the World Cup and much more in neighboring cities, besides the 2.9 million population in Qatar.

According to Reuters, there will be 60,000 rooms in apartments, 50,000 hotel rooms, 9,000 beds in fan villages, and two large cruise ships with 4,000 rooms.

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