Qatar 2022

[Rafa]

Cape Town 2026! 3.5 million people!

[aluz]

THAT is the major problem with this bid Chuq. They are proposing at least twice as many venues in Doha as London is proposing in England's bid.

When you realise Doha is one sixth the size of London in terms of population and Qatar's league attracts on averge less than 8000 spectators per match, you start to see the gaping hole in the middle of this bid. You simply can't hold the majority of a world cup in one city, especially if that city is as small as Doha, has little footballing heritage, and if the bid threatens to leave behind a swathe white elephants afterwards.

Let's not forget that current FIFA regulations for the WC is not to allow more than 2 stadia per city.

[Rafa]

You are all Qatar-haters. Doha can have 8 venues...so what!!

[Lachie]

The stadia they have proposed is amazing. But definately not sustainable for post WC.

[Aronious]

Let's not forget that current FIFA regulations for the WC is not to allow more than 2 stadia per city.

There will clearly be exceptions to that for large, major and important cities. London has proposed 4 venues for 2018, Sydney has 3 (although, technically 2) for 2022.

Unfortunately, Doha isn't a London or Sydney in either size or importance.

[gotosy]

May 15 - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva today pledged his country's support to Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Lula, recently ranked as one of the most influential leaders in the world by Time magazine, offered his backing to the bid during a visit to Doha, where he signed a number of agreements with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani

http://www.insideworldfootball.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8079:lula-pledges-brazils-support-to-qatar-2022-world-cup-bid&catid=62:qatar&Itemid=75

[qatar son 333]

Brazil vs England International Friendly

The high-profile international football friendly between Brazil and England last November boosted the profile of Qatar's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Stars like Kaka, Robinho and Wayne Rooney, descended on Doha and displayed their skills before a sellout crowd at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Game helped the football pundits take a serious note of Qatar. It also made them realise that the Arabian Gulf nation is not simply aiming to put itself on the map, but is quite serious and wants to make a global impact by hosting events like the World Cup and Olympics.

"We received a lot of positive feedback. I wont claim everything was perfect, but overall, it was a great show and the 50,000-odd fans, who thronged the venue, had a memorable experience. We are looking for the same inspirational effect in 2022 when we hope to welcome the world to our country and showcase our traditional hospitality again, and open an entirely new market to the FIFA family." Qatar 2022 Bid CEO Hassan Abdullah Al Thawadi.

Brazil vs England Fan Fest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Zn2ds1jE8&feature=player_embedded

Cooling stadiums has already been done as is already practiced in Qatar since 2004, but the 2022 Stadiums will be using solar power.

Stand fringe portholes breathe cooling air into the Al Sadd stadium (inset)

Take a careful look at the picture here. Look at the pitch surround, to the right of the goal at the front of the stand in the Al Sadd Stadium (14,000) in Doha, Qatar. Those small black portholes are not mere decoration. They serve a purpose – and a potentially revolutionary one at that.

One of the innovations with which Qatar expects to amaze FIFA during the 2022 World Cup bidding process is a system which cools the air temperature for players and fans.

"This reporter can say he has walked out onto pitch, “felt” the future - and it works."

Al Sadd was an appropriate club to invest in the initial system. This is the so-called “Real Madrid of the Gulf,” the richest club in Qatar and most successful with more than 300 cups glistening, glinting and gleaming in the trophy room.

More significant in the wider scheme of the game, however, is the air-cooling system. A power plant 100 yards from the stadium drives the 6,000 tonnes of refrigeration from chilled water through a pipeline network to the stadium and out through the 150 vents which fringe the pitch and are replicated beneath every seat around the ground.

Power plant

The temperature outside may be 35 or 40 degrees but within the stadium it can be held down at between 18 and 21 degrees – low enough to keep any gloved Nordic midfielder happy.

This is believed to be the first such system in the world and was installed and started up four months ago at a cost of around $20m. Already research scientists are working on refinements to ensure that future versions work to a carbon-lite, eco-friendly power system.

For the Qataris this is the most significant legacy component of their 2022 bid since they would promise to make the technology available further south in hotter climes where the need is greater – and not only, of course, for soccer in particular or sport in general.

"This is the first stadium to have this technology in the world. But the cooling system is powered by gas. For the 2022 World Cup, we want to develop the cooling effects from solar energy. We have planned it and we are capable to bring a new World Cup to the world. Yes, it will be new in terms of technology, in terms of marketing, in terms of compactness with regard to proximity of all the stadium which can make it possible for somebody to watch two matches in a day if he so wishes.

Infact, Sepp Blatter already attended the heir apparent's cup final at the Al-Sadd Stadium when he visited Qatar earlier.

[qatar son 333]

Time to "reorganise" all these images....

So far 3 completely new stadiums have been announced and they are Al-Wakrah, Al-Khor & Al-Shamal.

Al-Wakrah Stadium & Complex

Will include the main Stadium (45,120) , Aquatics Center, Multi-Use sport's hall, Shopping Mall, Spa & Offices.) The complex would be adjacent to an expressway and will have connection's to the national metro network. The Sport complex is part of the "Wakrah City Masterplan", which means regardless of the decision in 2nd of December, it will be built. The only thing that wouldn't be built if the 2022 World Cup doesn't go to Qatar is the Modular upper tiers that would be removed and chipped to developing countries in Asia/Africa after the World Cup.

Official video for Al-Wakrah Stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGEZjKZ0yFI&feature=player_embedded

Bird view of Stadium

Open spaces outside the Stadium

View of the Wakrah Sport Complex

Al-Khor Stadium

Located in the northeast of Qatar, designed in the shape of a beautiful asymmetrical shell the al khor stadium will have a capacity of 45,330 seats. some viewers will see the Arabian Gulf from their seats, the players will benefit from a flexible cover that will ensure the shadow on the pitch. The stadium will have connections to the National Metro, an adjacent highway and water taxi links.

Official video of Al-Khor Stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Zuug0gmqQ&feature=player_embedded

Bird view of Stadium

The shell cover

Section view of Al-Khor Stadium

Al-Shamal Stadium

The brand new al-shamal stadium has a capacity of 45,120 with a permanent lower tier of 25,500 seats and a modular upper tier of 19,620 seats. the stadiums shape is derived from the 'Dhow' fishing boat of the arabian gulf. spectators are expected to arrive from the Doha Expressway, Water Taxis, the Bahrain-Qatar friendship bridge and the new National Metrorail.

Official video of Al-Shamal Stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXgXuTowpqg&feature=player_embedded

View from ground

View from the sky

We know that 2 stadiums (Al-Gharafa & Al-Rayyan) will be renovated for the 2022 World cup.

Al-Gharafa Stadium

The existing 21,175 capacity Al-Gharafa stadium will be expanded to 44,740 seats using modular elements forming an upper tier. The facade will be made up of ribbons representing the nations that qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will symbolize football and the mutual friendship, tolerance and respect that the tournament represents. The stadium will be downscaled to its existing capacity after the tournament ends.

Official video of Al-Gharafa Stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPr8RdT0Ju8&feature=player_embedded

Birds-eye view

Ground view

Section view of Stadium.

Al-Rayyan Stadium

The existing al-rayyan stadium with a seating capacity of 21,282 will be expanded to 44,740 seats using modular elements to form an upper tier. the stadium is designed with a special 'media facade' membrane that acts as a screen for projecting news, updates and current matches. The stadium will be downsized to its current capacity after the tournament. Its adjacent to a Highway.

Official video of Al-Rayyan Stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtYUGARoDg8&feature=player_embedded

Bird view

Ground view

[baron-pierreIV]

It takes more than state-of-the-art stadia to stage a unique and 'memorable' mega-event like a World Cup or an Olympics.

[gotosy]

Qatar says heat no obstacle to hosting World Cup

(AFP)

DOHA — With its eyes set on hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar is trying to convince a team of FIFA inspectors visiting since Tuesday that it can overcome the scorching heat by cooled carbon neutral stadiums.

"All the stadiums presented in our portfolio are environmentally friendly as they use advanced technology with zero Carbon Dioxide emmissions," president of Qatar 22 Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani told reporters.

"We will honor our promise" to provide air-conditioned stadiums in the country where temperatures exceed 45 degrees celsius (113 degrees fahrenheit) in summer, Sheikh Mohammed said in a joint press conference with the head of FIFA's delegation, Chilean Football Federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls.

On the first day of their visit, the delegation attended a local league match at the one of the emirate's first air-conditioned football fields named Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

"Climate has never been an issue for Qatar," the 2022 bid committee's executive director Hassan al-Thawadi had said earlier.

"The experience of air-conditioned stadiums has succeeded a while ago and we are preparing to start a second generation of air-conditioned stages which will be solar powered," he said.

The cooling will not be restricted to the football fields but will cover the open spaces around the stadiums, he added.

Qatar launched its bid to host the 2022 World Cup in May, emphasising the theme that to award football's showcase event to a Middle East country for the first time would promote better understanding of the region.

The ambitious campaign was kicked off by Sheikh Mohammed in front of a 50,000 sell-out crowd at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for the Emir Cup Final.

During an April 24 visit to the gas-rich emirate, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that Qatar could well become the first World Cup hosts from the Arab world.

"What matters are the guarantees the bidding country has to offer and on that count I have no doubt that Qatar will put on the table all that is needed to host the event," Blatter said.

Qatar has already experienced hosting a major sports event with the 2006 Asian Games - Doha failed to make the short list for the race to host the 2016 Summer Olympics - and the country already enjoys an impressive array of top class sports facilities.

AFP

[gotosy]

FIFA inspection head says Qatar faces challenges

DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- The head of the FIFA inspection team said Thursday that Qatar faces logistical challenges in attempting to host the 2022 World Cup, raising doubts about the nation's proposal.

Chile Football Federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls didn't specify what the problems were but said a World Cup needs to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. He said Qatar currently does not currently have the necessary accommodations and transport links, though he acknowledged the organizers "have assured us they will change this.''

"From an organizational point of view, Qatar has the potential to host an international event like a FIFA World Cup,'' Mayne-Nicholls said.

"But it would pose a number of logistical challenges,'' he said. "So far, we have had only one tournament of a similar concept with a minimum of traveling distance, and that was the first tournament staged in 1930 in Uruguay. That has easily worked out well 80 years ago, but the scope of the event, as we all know, has changed dramatically.''

...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/09/16/FIFA.qatar.ap/index.html

[baron-pierreIV]

/\ /\

And that's putting it mildly.

[Rafa]

Doha metros proposes hosting 10 stadia.

It classifies "suburbs" as host cities i.e. 16km away, 9km away and 20km away.

[FYI]

So in other words, Qatar ain't gettin' no FIFA World Cup.

All the Asian competitors in this race are SOL.

[baron-pierreIV]

never mind.

Edited September 17, 2010 by baron-pierreIV

[LuigiVercotti]

FIFA inspection head says Qatar faces challenges

DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- The head of the FIFA inspection team said Thursday that Qatar faces logistical challenges in attempting to host the 2022 World Cup, raising doubts about the nation's proposal.

Chile Football Federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls didn't specify what the problems were but said a World Cup needs to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. He said Qatar currently does not currently have the necessary accommodations and transport links, though he acknowledged the organizers "have assured us they will change this.''

"From an organizational point of view, Qatar has the potential to host an international event like a FIFA World Cup,'' Mayne-Nicholls said.

"But it would pose a number of logistical challenges,'' he said. "So far, we have had only one tournament of a similar concept with a minimum of traveling distance, and that was the first tournament staged in 1930 in Uruguay. That has easily worked out well 80 years ago, but the scope of the event, as we all know, has changed dramatically.''

...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/09/16/FIFA.qatar.ap/index.html

As much as I'd like to think the Qatari bid has been given a big boot in the date with the less than glowing technical report it's not going to be the be all and end all when it comes to the actual selection. If there is a concerted political movement within the FIFA execs to go with Bin Hamman's baby no matter how good transport, venues, tourist facilities etc etc are from the likes of Australia and the US they will be put aside in favour of the petrodollar funded farce that a Qatar WC will be.

[Lachie]

Translation: Qatar aren't capable for 2022.

Advantage Australia.

[baron-pierreIV]

As much as I'd like to think the Qatari bid has been given a big boot in the date with the less than glowing technical report it's not going to be the be all and end all when it comes to the actual selection. If there is a concerted political movement within the FIFA execs to go with Bin Hamman's baby no matter how good transport, venues, tourist facilities etc etc are from the likes of Australia and the US they will be put aside in favour of the petrodollar funded farce that a Qatar WC will be.

I don't think mass stupidity would reign in December. Having Zinidane Zidane as your chief sports spokesperson is probably the dumbest move they've made!! That's like making Johnny Weir as the US bid spokesperson.

Other than continued or discontinued sponsonshop from Emirates Air, what benefit will picking Qatar bring FIFA vs. the other picks??

[LuigiVercotti]

I don't think mass stupidity would reign in December. Having Zinidane Zidane as your chief sports spokesperson is probably the dumbest move they've made!! That's like making Johnny Weir as the US bid spokesperson.

Other than continued or discontinued sponsonshop from Emirates Air, what benefit will picking Qatar bring FIFA vs. the other picks??

1. Petrodollars

2. FIFA Presidential clout determined by Bin Hamman and his Asian clique

3. Another 'stuff you' to the IOC and to the Anglos (i.e. US and Australia)

It makes no sense to go to Qatar Baron but let's not forget this is the same international sporting federation that has defended the sporting practices of Thierry Henry and Maradona, has though going to Columbia for the 86 WC was a good idea and has a president who has expressed the opinion that female soccer players should dress in skimpier clothing to improve interest in the sport.

[Rob2012]

According to the Daily Mail - so take with a pinch of salt perhaps - Qatar are spending £2.9m on their world cup presentations - which will include CGI and 3D elements! Madness if true!

[4seasonscentre]

^

Where does one buy tickets?

[LuigiVercotti]

^

Where does one buy tickets?

I'd say from your nearest FIFA consultant or Nigerian with an inheritance they'd like to deposit in your account if you could just send them your bank details. Both are just as reputable

[gotosy]

FIFA exec questions Qatar World Cup credentials

November 16, 2010

Qatar has emerged as a strong contender to host the tournament despite having to face issues surrounding the heat, which averages more than 40 degrees Celsius in June and July and last summer topped 50 degrees, and the small size of the country and population.

The Qatar bid team has said air conditioning the stadiums can lower the temperatures into the low 30s, but American Chuck Blazer, a long-standing member of the FIFA executive committee who will vote on the 2018 and 2022 hosts on December 2, does not believe this is enough.

"You can air condition a stadium, but I don't see how you can air-condition an entire country," Blazer told the Wall Street Journal.

The USA are bidding against Qatar along with Australia and outsiders South Korea and Japan. The publication of the FIFA bid inspectors' evaluation reports on Wednesday is expected to provide further questions about the World Cup being staged in Qatar.

As well as the heat, the size of the country is an issue; Qatar has a population of less than one million, 80 percent of who live in the country's capital Doha and its surrounding suburbs.

A special meeting of the FIFA executive committee has been called on Friday in Zurich with only two items on the agenda: to discuss the evaluation reports and the outcome of the FIFA ethics committee hearing.

Some FIFA insiders believe there may be a move to bar Qatar from the bid process on technical grounds if the evaluation report raises too many high-risk problems.

On Monday, the head of Qatar's bid insisted they were "now credible contenders'' and bid chief executive Hassan Al Thawadi told the Aspire4Sport conference in Doha of his confidence in the bid.

"Our enthusiasm for the sport rivals any other country on the planet," Al Thawadi said. "The weather posed many concerns but we acknowledged the issue and we continue to overcome this. The benefits of our bid have won over many sceptics.''

...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=843170&sec=global&cc=3888

[Sir Rols]

I was just about to post that item as well. Good to see some hard questions being asked of them.

[LuigiVercotti]

Just as an aside, why does Chuck Blazer sound like the name of a character in a Will Ferrell movie

And just in case you don't know who he is here's a pic of him impersonating Brian Cadd as a pirate:

I'm sure that whilst the questions are being asked no doubt within Blather's Castle there will be mutterings of the Yank attack on a bid rivalling US 2022, plus how important in the scheme of things is Blazer versus Bin Hamman? I suspect Blazer's comments won't be anywhere near as telling as the ongoing rivalry between Blather and his Qatari Qolleague.