There will be plenty of focus on Qatar this winter, with one of the world’s biggest sporting events set to take place in the country across November and December: the 2022 FIFA World Cup!
A total of 32 teams will be competing across eight groups of four teams for the right to qualify and progress to the knockout stages before the final 16 teams continue to be whittled down in knockout soccer until two remain.
The final two will then go against each other as they contest for the FIFA World Cup, which will be played at the newly-built Stadium in Lusail in front of what would be an expected capacity of 80,000 in attendance, while hundreds of millions of people around the world – perhaps even in the billions – will be glued to a screen as they watch two nations compete against each other.
Naturally, there will be plenty of focus on the soccer that takes place across the country, with a total of eight different venues being used for the entirety of the competition, with some having been specifically designed for the tournament in which there are a number of firsts to be experienced.
However, whether we get a first-time winner might be something that remains to be seen, especially when you consider the five favorites that are expected to be in contention of capturing one of the biggest prizes in the entire sporting world.
According to a number of people and enthusiasts of the game many love, it would appear that a winner is most likely to come from either South America or Europe, with Brazil, France, England, Argentina and Spain all believed to be in the top five selections. This rings true with the sportsbooks, too, with those who like to enjoy sport betting able to find these five at the top of the list. Brazil is the outright favorite, though, with odds of +400 being made available, with the others following at +550, +650, +650, and +750, respectively.
What should you avoid when traveling to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
If you are one of the lucky ones to have been able to get a ticket for a game or are perhaps thinking about heading to Qatar and hoping to obtain a ticket while you are out there, or even just visiting and looking to soak up as much of the atmosphere and occasion as possible, there are a number of things you should think about trying to avoid when traveling.
Indeed, Qatar – and the Middle East – is notorious for its strict beliefs and culture, with many things that may be accepted in some other parts of the world banned and not deemed acceptable here.
As a result, here are just some of the top things you should look to avoid:
1. Alcohol – It is widely known that alcohol is banned in Qatar, and as a result, you should avoid drinking in public or indeed carrying any around with you. There are some hotels that have bars and serve alcohol to their guests, but it is important to remember that these are not open to the general public. Other banned substances include drugs.
2. Pork – Similarly to alcohol, pork is also banned in Qatar. You will not find any bacon or ham on the shelves in supermarkets and it is important to be mindful of this if you are ordering food while out and about.
3. Public displays of affection – Public displays of affection are also not deemed acceptable in Qatar and as a result, you should avoid kissing or hugging anyone in public.
4. Dress code – It is important to be aware of the dress code in Qatar, especially if you are a woman. While you may feel comfortable in a pair of shorts and a vest top, it is important to remember that Qatar is a Muslim country and as such, you should dress modestly. This means covering your shoulders and knees at all times. This includes beachwear in public places.
5. Photography – It is also very important to be aware that photography is banned in certain places in Qatar, including government buildings and military installations. Be mindful of this if you are planning on taking any pictures while you are out and about.
Final Thoughts
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup happening in Qatar, it could certainly be worth keeping an eye on possible developments or modifications to the laws that are in place, although it would be wise to avoid doing the things highlighted above, regardless of whether the world’s biggest sporting event is taking place or not.
