Last Updated on April 1, 2016

Lawyer Michael Garcia has already submitted the Russia 2018 and Qatar World Cup 2022 bidding process to FIFA.

Garcia interviewed more than 75 witnesses. There has been recommendation for further action against individuals. It is believed that further bidding process will be necessary.

The 2018 tournament was awarded by FIFA to Russia in 2010. FIFA World Cup 2022 was also handed at the same time to Qatar.

German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert leads the adjudicatory chamber, which will decide about wrongdoings (if committed). But the report is not expected to be made public.

Eckert has the power to impose sanctions. Though he is not provided with the authority to take the Russia 2018 or the Qatar 2022 World Cup away.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted only his ruling executive committee. They will sit for third-quarter meeting on 26 September in Zurich and decide either to move or stay with the previous hosts.

“The report sets forth detailed factual findings and identifies issues to be referred to other Fifa committees, future bidding processes is highly recommended” – FIFA.

Garcia is currently investigating all of those involved in the bidding process for both the Russia 2018 and Qatar World Cup 2022 events.

The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Russia ahead of Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands joint bids. England was also in the list.

And Qatar had to overcome the competition from United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia for 2022 host arrangement.

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The Qatar 2022 bid committee is facing claims of corruption. Sunday Times alleged in June that Mohamed bin Hammam (former FIFA vice-president), paid £3m to football officials around the world in return for support for Qatar 2022 bid.

Earlier this year, The Qatari bid committee denied all allegations of wrongdoing. But they probably have decided not to comment on the most recent statement from FIFA.

FIFA World Cup 2022 awarded as Qatar World Cup



On December 2nd, 2010 in Zurich, FIFA executive committee voted in a secret ballot. Finally it was decided that Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Five candidates presented their bids to stage the World Cup 2022.

The other candidates were USA, Korea, Australia and Japan, who submitted their bids for the most expected hosting rights. USA had previously staged the FIFA World Cup finals (in 1994). While Japan and Korea were the tournament’s first joint hosts back in 2002.

“The World Cup is going to new lands and I am a happy President as we speak of the development of football”

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said.

“I would like to thank all the candidates and congratulate Qatar” he added.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani (Chairman of the Qatar bid) was found almost crying after the very announcement.

“Thank you for believing in change and believing in expanding the game. After all thank you for giving Qatar a chance”

he said.

“We will make you proud. We will not let you down”

After the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014, the next edition is Russia 2018. And Qatar will for the first time stage the World Cup finals in 2022.

Qatar World Cup 2022: Reactions



Emir of Qatar:

HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani –

This is one of the great achievements of Arab countries. I hope, we will successfully stage this tournament. The infrastructure will be in place. Hopefully all the Arabs will support us. It was always difficult for us. The team headed by Sheikh Mohammad had a big hill to climb. But it would be even more difficult if we had lost. But in that case we just have to double our efforts and never give up. People may think that we are small as a country, but we really need to prove that we can accomplish great things.

Qatar bid chairman:

Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Al-Thani –

I want to thank you for having a bold vision. On behalf of all these people, I want to let you know that we will not let you down. I believe, deciding for the Middle East they have showed right judgment. Now, we are about to locate the big date for the FIFA World Cup 2022. I would also like to thank our competitors. They kept us busy all the time. We can honestly thank FIFA for this bold decision. I believe, all the single member of our bid committee, worked harder to make this dream true. Congratulations to his royal highness, the Emir. Thanks for believing and bringing the game to our region is the right thing to do. Most importantly, I would very much like to thank all the members of the bid committee, who actually believed in us.

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No one actually saw that we had a chance and we were written off. But the millions, who stood with us, made us win. Off course it needed hard work to get to this point. We can celebrate now. And most importantly we need to remember that tomorrow the work begins. We have to deliver the tremendous work. We must make ourselves proud put the milestone in the history of Middle East and the history of FIFA. Thank you all again and hope to see you at the Qatar World Cup 2022.

General Secretary of Qatar Olympic committee:

HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani –

Qatar is going to introduce football in the Middle East like the World Tournament. The bid team have impressed us all. We thank them for their tremendous effort and bringing the Qatar World Cup.

HH Sheikha Mozah bin Nasser Al Misnad

I was always hoping to win for the whole region. I believe the team as well thought like this. They deserved to win. I saw them last few days and nights working harder. I’m extremely happy for winning this for the Arab World, never for Qatar only. Now everyone in Qatar knows, anything is possible with due works. Hope will provide you comfortable World Cup 2022.

Qatar 2022 bid chief executive:

Hassan al-Thawadi –

First of all, I would like to thank FIFA for believing in us. We really should thank them for their efforts to widen the borders of the game and bring it in Middle East. I promise we will serve a great Qatar World Cup and click to the opportunity.

Qatar World Cup brings delight for Qatari people



Just from the very moment, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter revealed the name for the host country of the FIFA World Cup 2022, almost all the people of Qatar became inexpressible happy.

Not only native Qataris, residents from all nationalities reacted with emotion. No sooner had the decision been announced by FIFA, a city-wide party atmosphere engulfed the thousands gathered in front of giant screens across the capital.

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Numerous hopeful Qataris had already begun to gather from around three. Two hours after, when it was finally announced that they are going to have the Qatar World Cup 2022 ahead, all the spaces were occupied by the Qatar bid supporters.

It was not just the locals, many of the country’s large foreign contingent came out to show their support for the bid. Everywhere just the logo marked, Qatar 2022 was available.

The unforgettable symbol of South Africa 2010, Vuvuzelas made an impressive comeback in the Qatari capital. The familiar horns provided a noisy, joyful soundtrack to the live broadcast. Both children and adults got to follow on-screen proceedings due to the lack of available seats.

The entire town erupted with jubilation, as soon as the FIFA President confirmed Qatar World Cup. Great many bouts of Qatari folk dancing broke out. Also an enormous convoy of vehicles took to Doha’s 7 km-long coastal road.

This immense procession would go on long night. Travelers with flights booked out of Doha International Airport, had to postpone their departures. As it was quite impossible to move through the gigantic and euphoric throng of people.

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Mahmoud Hassan told FIFA.com,

“Due to the traffic jams, I wasn’t able to reach Doha airport for my flight to Bahrain. It’s really incredible to see all these people celebrating the event together”

Many football fans from other parts of the Persian Gulf had even decided to travel to Qatar to enjoy the atmosphere.

An Omani citizen said,

“The entire Gulf region was fully behind of the Qatar bid. The incredible progress made by this country leads me to believe that they’ll be up to the task. This country has put a huge amount of work into developing”

Mohamed, from Palestine,

“FIFA World Cup coming to the Middle East for the first time. Qatar is a great country – we were confident that they would win. Hopefully they will be the successful event provider ever from this region. And we all will be following closely”

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Gary Linker says Qatar 2022 decision is ‘LUDICROUS’

He expects for ‘clean’ countries to boycott the tournament. Former England striker brands FIFA president Sepp Blatter a dictator. He says that FIFA is not fit as the ruling body. Lineker was part of England’s failed bid team to host the 2018 World Cup. Greg Dyke expects that England wouldn’t bid to host during Blatter again.

Linker is totally disgusted at alleged corruption within FIFA. He has already labelled the Qatar 2022 decision as ‘ludicrous’.

Lineker was part of England’s bid team for the 2018 World Cup event. He declared that England wouldn’t bid again as to win by bending the rules.

The former England striker said,

“I was with David Beckham. We were out trying to get support. Prince William and David Cameron were out there, too. The whole thing smells as done deal” “The whole FIFA thing will make you feel sick. The corruption at the top level is nauseating. Sepp Blatter has run it like a dictatorship for so long”

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Talking about the Qatar World Cup, Linker said,

“Ludicrous. I am not against it going to different parts of the world” “You have to be careful what you say, but the corruption is just . . . yuck”

He suggested all the clean countries to boycott the World Cup. He also had to acknowledge that this will not happen.

Linker don’t find FIFA fit for the sport anymore. He believes that it is such a shame because it is a massive sport and means so much to so many people.

“We should stand up for what is right and if that means never hosting the World Cup again”

FA chairman Greg Dyke has said they would not again go for a bid to host the World Cup as long as Blatter was there.

Lineker also called for some restrictions, especially on advertising by gambling firms and alcohol products.

“I have turned down deals with alcohol firms over the years and I don’t agree” “Gambling is just too easy to do now and as a parent I worry about it”

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Qatar confident FIFA will exonerate Qatar 2022 bid

One of their senior officials from the Qatari organizers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup said, they are confident that independent investigation into the bidding process for the finals will definitely be on their side.

Nasser Al Khater (Communications chief) told,

“We’ve always been confident of our position in the way we carried ourselves during the bidding stage”

The New York lawyer Michael Garcia delivered his 350-page report last week to German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert. He is currently the head of the FIFA’s Ethics adjudicatory chamber. Finally he will decide about the consequence in about a month. They will also decide either to publish public or not.

Allegations of corruption have surrounded the voting for 2018 World Cup awarded to Russia. And also the Qatar 2022 World Cup. But Al Khater claims that he has consistently maintained the Qatari bid was clean.

Another major issue surrounding the finals in Qatar 2022 is when they will occur. FIFA’s task force on that subject met on Monday. The problem is, Europe’s top clubs debated it again on Tuesday saying they needed strong decisive reasons.

They don’t get the point of disrupting the domestic European season as the Qatar World Cup tournament is proposed to shift at the winter months.

AL Khater said,

“Everyone wants to make sure there is the ideal solution for the World Cup with minimal disruption for their leagues. I think the main concern is health. We’ll have cooled training sites, stadia, public areas”

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He also added that they are not running away from the problems. There will be significant challenges. They believe that the Qatar World Cup will be a catalyst for change in society. Definitely it will not happen overnight. But the significant change is the main concern.

“People also recognize now that it is even more important that we put on an excellent show and deliver an exceptional World Cup. This is what we promised and we are excited about delivering the first World Cup in the Middle East”

Earlier this year, the European Clubs’ Association contradicted the view about summer tournament ruled out. They intend to point out that cooling technology for stadiums and pitches had been an integral part of Qatar’s successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022.

“It would be very important to have strong arguments to convince the European game to disrupt its season”

The ECA vice-chairman, Umberto Gandini said.

“There must be very good reasons for moving the World Cup from its conventional slot”

2022 Qatar World Cup will be too hot to even sit and watch

There are problems both way. One hand, questions is lingering about the allegedly shady activity of FIFA awarding the Qatar 2022 World Cup. And now the Middle Eastern country has been dogged with criticism about its suitability for the tournament hosting. There are so many thing in these speculations like human rights violation, corruption heat stroke inducing weather etc.

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In a hot Qatar summer, temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This has already been criticized for how it might affect the players. Now that a time, we have come to know from a International journal of Bio meteorology that the heat will be enough effective for the spectators too.

Recent study concludes like,

Qatar World Cup may not be appropriate for the visitors. Especially if it is placed during the scheduled summer situation. In Doha, this season a large majority of hours of the day cause strong heat stress.

The study committee recommended the FIFA World Cup 2022. They are suggesting the time between November and February. They believe, then much more comfortable conditions are frequently available.

The study backs up what many have already demanded. Either the Qatar 2022 World Cup moved to winter or another comfortable location altogether.

Last year, in August,

Sepp Blatter told the associated press,

“I would be very surprised, more than surprised if the World Cup would not be rescheduled for the winter in Qatar”

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Then short after, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke announced that the Qatar World Cup would move to winter.

“To be honest, I think it will be held between November 15 and January 15 at the latest”

But until the executive committee of FIFA takes no final decision, we cannot assure any particular date even the location for the tournament.

FIFA might shift Qatar World Cup 2022 to winter

FIFA has offered January and November in 2022 as alternative kickoff dates for the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA consultation group met to seek ways to avoid the summer heat of June July in Qatar.

Blatter cancelled a planned visit to SoccerEx in Manchester. As football leaders were meeting Monday to discuss the potential disruption of domestic leagues. If the Qatar World Cup is held between the proposed times, then it completely disrupts the schedule.

“We have already said we cannot play in summer in this heat in Qatar, now we are making this consultation”

FIFA’s executive committee should confirm the dates at its meeting in March at least.

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Another problem is, the January-February tournament option probably could not happen if the 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled in the traditional time.

IOC president Thomas Bach has already said that the FIFA president assured him, the two events would not clash.

Blatter has repeatedly said the Qatar World Cup cannot be played in summer. But organizing committee is always standing by its pledge to build air-cooled stadiums if necessary.

FIFA opens talks on Qatar 2022 dates

FIFA will step up the search for new dates to play the Qatar World Cup 2022.

Consultation was promised last year. As FIFA President Sepp Blatter repeatedly insisted the tournament cannot be played in the summer, especially with the desert heat.

A second session is scheduled for November, FIFA planning.

Blatter is expecting that his executive committee will make a decision within next March.

Blatter and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke have always been telling about a November kickoff of the Qatar World Cup will work.

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On December 2010, FIFA’s ruling board awarded Qatar as the 2022 host country. The local organization also stood by a promised bid of June July tournament. They promised to solve the heat problem with air conditioned stadiums.

But still Blatter say,

“It would not be rational to play in summer when temperatures in Qatar rise above 40 degrees C”

Qatar officials have said they can change their hosting plan. But most of all they need to know the international football community reaches a consensus.

Europeans leagues and clubs are the biggest critics of a winter World Cup. Top club competitions face a two-month stoppage. Which will eventually need to knock-on effect of changing calendars over three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

Zidane: Qatar 2022 is a victory for the Arab world



Zinedine Zidane was an ambassador for Qatar’s bid to stage the FIFA World Cup 2022. The former French midfielder Zizou voiced his delight exclusively to FIFA.com.

He tried to explain what it means to him on a personal level and to the Arab world as a whole.

Zidane believed that it was never easy to support a bid. As it is always a competition. But he is happy as he was trying to convey the message that football belong to the whole world. And now for Russia and Qatar who have never organized such tournament. So football is taking place to new world.

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Obviously this is a fantastic news for the people of both the countries as well as for all the football lovers.

FIFA questioned about his being so much happy. But Zizou just replied as being a partner of the bid. He just supported all the way through. He feels proud of being a contributor to a new country getting the World Cup. The Arab World is having the long desired event that makes him happy.

Zidane believes the Qatar World Cup will resonate beyond Qatar. Actually it’s a victory for the Arab World. The Middle East countries will support the event together. They have actually gotten ten more years to get down to work and stage a very wonderful FIFA World Cup.

Zizou was seemed delighted similarly like the year 1998, when France was awarded the FIFA World Cup. He said,