World Cup Goaaaaals!

Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022

- By Kevin Koczwara

1. THE 2022 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup kicks off this month, with more than 30 teams participating. In the tournament’s 92-year history, only eight countries have won: Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Argentina, Spain, Uruguay and England. This year, Brazil goes in as the big favorite, with odds of 9 to 2. The host nation automatically earns an invite, though Qatar will need a miracle to cinch the trophy. Their odds of winning: 250 to 1.
2. his Is the first time the Cup is being held in the Middle East and during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. Summer temps in Qatar regularly top 100 degrees, so for the safety of both athletes and spectators, organizers pushed the month long contest out to late November, when the weather is more mild.
3. A COMMITTEE votes to select the World Cup host country years in advance. Since Qatar’s bid won back in 2010, the Qataris in charge of that bid have been accused of bribing for votes. They wouldn’t be the first. Former FIFA official Chuck Blazer admitted to taking bribes for the 1998 World Cup in France and the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
4. URUGUAY WAS the A first host—and winner—of the World Cup back in 1930. The final match played out in front of 60,000 spectators. The most recent World Cup final, held in Moscow in 2018, attracted a crowd of 78,000. Another 1.12 billion tuned in live at home or at their local soccer bar.