The club season pauses for the World Cup
Qatar
It was confirmed in 2010 that Qatar would host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. FIFA were blown away as it cost Qatar $880 million for their World Cup bid. They were given the go ahead to host the 2022 World Cup but it has to be held in Winter due to it been too hot in the Summer. FIFA World Cup is a traditional four-year event that usually takes place in the Summer months ever since it’s invention in 1930. My opinion is that it should always be held in the Summer and the timing of a Winter World Cup is terrible.
Stadiums
Qatar has it’s own national club league which is called Qatar Stars League which is contested by 14 teams. The majority of the 2022 World Cup will be played in Doha due to the city having eight stadiums with seven of them made especially for this tournament. Human rights is a significant issue as The Guardian revealed that 6,500 migrant workers have died since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. Lusail Stadium holds a capacity of 80,000 and will host 10 matches at 2022 World Cup. FIFA has to be questioned in letting Qatar host a World Cup due to their shocking human right issues.
Premier League
The 2022/2023 Premier League season has to be condensed due to a mid-season break in November. Their has been two rounds of midweek games in both August and October to make up for the shortfall of no games. The Premier League will set 30 fixtures between St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day to make up for the six week World Cup break. The 2022/2023 Premier League is not the only competition that has been affected as six group stage Champions League games were played in eight weeks.
Injuries
Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have all played 22 games in domestic competitions since the 2022/2023 season began. Multiple games in quick succession increase the risk of an injury especially with not wanting to miss out on a World Cup. Raphael Verane was in tears after getting injured in Man United’s Game against Chelsea but is selected in France World Cup squad. Kyle Walker is still injured but Gareth Southgate picked the Man City man in his 26 man squad. Sadio Mane is also in Senegal squad for the World Cup even though he sustained an injury in Bayern Munich’s last game.
Sunday
The World Cup kicks off this Sunday 20th November with Qatar playing against Ecuador. The 2022 World Cup is the first time were teams will be allowed to make five subs in one game. Qatar is also the first World Cup were a woman will referee a match. Arsene Wenger is a part of FIFA and he will be introducing new technology in Qatar to speed up decisions regarding offside.
My predictions
England will get through their group as winners but will do well if they make it past the quarter-final. It would be fitting if Lionel Messi could win the World Cup with Argentina and go down as the greatest footballer in the modern era. Portugal will also go far with having creative midfielders from Manchester Clubs in Bruno Fernandes & Bernardo Silva and you always have a chance when you have Cristiano Ronaldo as main striker. Both Casemiro and Fred from Man United will be playing at the World Cup and Brazil will be hoping that the timely return of fitness for Richarlison will be influential in getting them through the group in Qatar. The clash of Germany and Spain in the group stages will be fascinating to see who goes through that group as winners.
It is starting in a couple of days and maybe my mind will change about Qatar when it all gets started. It will be something for football fans in Ireland to watch with it been cold and dark in November & December.