Football fever has descended upon the globe once again, as the FIFA World Cup 2022 draws closer. The 22nd edition of the competition will take place from 20th November to 18th December - and will be the first to be played in the Arab world.
Each country will take 26 players to Qatar 2022, and the 64 matches will take place across 8 stadiums - 6 of which will be repurposed into hotels or community spaces, post December. Effectively taking place within a single city, along with a fleet of electric buses, and an off-setting carbon credits programme, FIFA aims Qatar 2022 to be the first 'carbon neutral' World Cup - despite taking place in one of the world's least sustainable countries.
The 18 carat gold, 6 kilogram trophy awarded to World Cup winners today represents the joy of victory, with two stylised players holding up the world over bands of malachite green. The names of the 12 teams that have won since 1974 are engraved onto the base: Germany, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, France and Spain - with previous winners including Uruguay and England.
Finishing fourth at the last World Cup was England’s best showing - the only time faring better, of course, in 1966. The triumph on home soil remains the high point of the nation’s football history - could this performance possibly be replicated by England’s promising national side this year? After all, no-one in Europe scored more during the 2022 qualifiers than 29-year-old Harry Kane, who ended the campaign with a total of 12 goals in just 8 appearances - one every 49 minutes.
Regardless of the team you support, this World Cup is also a time to come together as a community. Whether you’re lucky enough to witness a live match, or if you’re holding a World Cup viewing party at home - grab the popcorn, and may the best team win!
References:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63570556
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