The 2022 World Cup  is being hosted in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. For the first time since the creation of the World Cup, it is being hosted by a middle eastern country. This is the 22nd tournament since it was first held in 1930.  

Throughout the tournament, 32 teams compete against each other in a bracket-style competition. In the opening stage of the tournament, teams are divided into eight groups of four, playing all teams in the group at once. Previously, the most expensive World Cup was held in 2018 in Russia. However, Qatar has recently broken the record by spending more than 15 times the amount of Russia: over 220 billion. Throughout the country, games are being held in eight venues across five cities.

During the past two weeks, the United States has tied 1-1 with Wales, 0-0 with England, and earned a 1-0 victory over Iran. As the United States entered their fourth game last Saturday,  the men’s national team suffered a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, officially eliminating the United States from the 2022 World Cup. Qatar became the first host country to be eliminated after their first two games after their 3-1 loss to Senegal.

Carolina Forest senior, Jeshua Godoy-Lopez, commented, “I predict that France will win the 2022 World Cup. They are looking really good on the turf.”

The decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has been a source of controversy across the world. There have been many allegations surrounding corruption and human rights violations. The United States Department of Justice has also produced allegations against the host country over the idea that bribes were used to secure votes. FIFA also made the largely controversial decision to move the World Cup to the winter months in order to avoid Qatar’s brutal heat in the summer.  Due to religious and governmental reasoning, there is a complete alcohol ban at all eight stadiums across the country. The complete ban of alcohol has created a large source of tension between the World Cup sponsor, Budweiser.

As we await the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, excitement is growing fast for the 2026 World Cup. For the first time ever, the tournament will be hosted across three countries, spanning over all of North America: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. For the soccer lovers,  the Women’s World Cup will run from July 20, 2023 to August 20, 2023 across stadiums in Australia and New Zealand.

CFHS men’s varsity soccer player, Marty Maggi, shared, “I’m very excited for North America to host the World Cup. It’s America’s chance to show the world how our love for soccer has grown. Hopefully, it will allow the three host nations to have a deep run in the competition.”

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