Has Qatar Organized the Best FIFA World Cup Ever?

Three million fans have visited Qatar to experience the spectacular football tournament, and one billion viewers have been impressed with the facilities and football quality. However, the success of the FIFA World Cup is not solely dependent on the teams playing well. The host nation must ensure that the stadiums are in top condition, and fans have adequate housing and transportation. Only a small percentage of the world actually gets to experience anything outside the stadiums.

Qatar’s Accomplishments

Qatar managed to pull off the tournament, despite the moral questions surrounding their preparations. The host nation has spent an enormous amount of money to promote itself, which raises significant ethical concerns.

Every World Cup is declared the best ever, written into the contract when a host nation signs up. This is reminiscent of the Olympics, which also declare every event as the pinnacle of its respective sports.

Stadiums and Weather Concerns

The stadiums are spectacular, and the lack of hot weather issues during the November-December tournament is noteworthy. The normal air conditioning systems are a luxury not previously seen at other World Cups, making the tournament more comfortable for the players and viewers alike. However, some infrastructure projects for fan housing were not completed on time, leading to some fans being left without accommodations. It remains unclear whether these fans received compensation or were relocated to other areas.

Political Tensions and Bias

There is a situation of open hostility from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt towards Qatar, as well as tension with the West (US and Europe) regarding Qatar and Al Jazeera. Some of the criticism may be overly harsh or even false. One positive aspect of the tournament is the lack of bias towards the host country, unlike the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, where the Korean team was favoritely treated.

While Qatar has made significant progress, the outcome of the tournament is yet to be determined. However, it is evident that the hosting and preparation were thoroughly executed, providing a memorable and comfortable experience for the teams and the fans.

Conclusion: For now, this World Cup seems to be going well, with impressive facilities and an absence of biased treatment of the host country.