The World Cup is probably the most iconic football tournament taking place every four years. It gets a great deal of public attention for several reasons including the highly competitive games between teams, the plentiful markets offered for betting, the enormous opportunities for promotion and communication captured by digital media companies like Media24 and last but not least the host country itself and the promises it makes to deliver to its visitors.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Nearly a month from now, on November 20, Qatar is going to be in the world’s spotlight for the staging of the World Cup 2022. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will last for 28 days, celebrating football in 64 matches among 32 national teams. All eyes will turn on Doha, which will become the ‘place to be’ for visitors and the center of attention for viewers around the globe.
Qatar’s promises
Qatar has been working on World Cup preparation for over 10 years now. The investments are huge – way surpassing initial projections- the infrastructural works are monumental – just consider the iconic Lusail Stadium- the entertainment events, that are to accompany or complement the core football competition, have been planned and designed to deliver extraordinary, groundbreaking, mesmerizing spectacle, while the entire place is tuned to dance at the rhythm of a carefully and thoroughly organized carnival.
Qatar makes a very big promise to its visitors. It is going to give one of the best ‘shows’ ever to be given at an event that celebrates the world’s most favored sport. Qatar promises its visitors that they are going to have the time of their life, with all the luxury and the cultural events that will take place. From Arcadia Spectacular and Al Wakrah music festivals, to Al Maha Island, the futuristic light installations and the parades, all will be turning the World Cup into an extravaganza.
What is the World Cup really about?
But is this what the FIFA World Cup is really about? Or even better, is this what it should be? Isn’t it the people, the sensations, the sentiment, the unique feelings and experiences and the blending of fans with the host city or the celebration of the sport that actually make the World Cup the ultimate celebration of football?
The World Cup is not about luxury, showcase or fabulously organized events. It is not even about the sole sport or the plain competition in matches in most cases, even if we’re talking about highly anticipated kick-ass matches. It is the feeling, the emotional experience and the togetherness that is made possible in the festive climate and celebration of the sport.
Hosting the FIFA World Cup probably requires more emphasis on what will make fans and visitors have an unforgettable time and not on how this will happen. It should all be about the vibes generated and the colours and sounds brought in by people who are coming not just to watch a match, but to live the place, the event and the surrounding environment, to soak up its energy and eventually merge in a multicultural synthesis of behaviours and expressions.
So, is Qatar ready to host the World Cup? Is it going to live up to the expectations of its people and the whole world? Those who love the World Cup, but also love to make something unique and memorable out of their experience instead of being mere viewers of luxurious spectacles. Well, we’ll just have to wait a little more and see!
