The World Cup in Qatar boasts many firsts, including being the inaugural FIFA event in the Muslim and Arab world in comparison to previous versions in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America.
Let's take a look at the reasons that make the tourney in Qatar vastly different from past World Cups played elsewhere on the planet.
Let's take a look at the reasons that make the tourney in Qatar vastly different from past World Cups played elsewhere on the planet.
1st World Cup in the Muslim World
It is the first World Cup to be held in the Arab and Muslim world. The tournament in Qatar is also the second hosted in Asia following South Korea and Japan's successful conduct of the World Cup in 2002.
Organized at a reported staggering cost of over $220 billion, it is said to be the costliest World Cup ever. However, Qatar World Cup organizing committee, including CEO Nasser Al Khater, has disputed these figures, putting the actual cost at $8 billion. The remaining amount was invested in the overall infrastructure development in the Middle Eastern nation after it won the bid to host the tournament in 2010.
Organized at a reported staggering cost of over $220 billion, it is said to be the costliest World Cup ever. However, Qatar World Cup organizing committee, including CEO Nasser Al Khater, has disputed these figures, putting the actual cost at $8 billion. The remaining amount was invested in the overall infrastructure development in the Middle Eastern nation after it won the bid to host the tournament in 2010.
No Booze at Stadiums
As part of the original Qatari bid, alcohol consumption was to be allowed inside and around the stadiums. But two days before the event started, local officials announced that only non-alcoholic drinks would be available for purchase at the stadiums. Alcohol sales are strictly controlled in Qatar.
"Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from... stadium perimeters," FIFA said in a statement at the time.
FIFA's statement led to severe criticism of football's global body. This criticism was based on the fact that FIFA had forced 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil to make changes to their existing laws to permit booze inside stadiums in line with its partnership commitments with beer brand Budweiser, a long-time sponsor of the World Cup.
Notably, it is the first time that alcohol consumption is not allowed during a World Cup.
Criticism Over Migrant Workers & LGBTQ Rights
Western media outlets and organizations, like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have severely slammed the alleged abuse of foreign workers in Qatar, while also highlighting claims of mistreatment filed by LGBTQ groups.
According to some foreign media reports, there has been widespread oppression of migrant workers in the country: not only were they underpaid, but also faced inhumane living conditions at construction sites while building stadiums for the biggest football spectacle in the world.
As for LGBTQ matters, same-sex relationships are officially illegal in Qatar: if a person of any faith other than Islam is caught in the act, they face a prison term of up to three years; if the person is a Muslim, it could result in the death penalty.
The desert nation's hardline stance on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) issues even led to its controversial move to ask fans entering stadiums to remove their rainbow-colored clothes or accessories. Rainbow-colored attire has long been associated with LGBTQ issues and has often been worn during pride parades around the world.
Arab Teams Cause the Biggest Upsets
The Qatar World Cup has come as a boon for the Arab world's football teams, with countries like Saudi Arabia and Morocco causing two of the biggest upsets in the tournament - so far!
Last week, Morocco became the first-ever Arab nation to advance to a World Cup quarterfinal after stunning 2010 champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out.
Last week, Morocco became the first-ever Arab nation to advance to a World Cup quarterfinal after stunning 2010 champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out.
With their sensational 3-0 triumph over the mighty Spaniards, Morocco also became the first African team to achieve the feat since 2010 when Ghana made it to the last 8 of the competition in South Africa.
Former footballer Mehtab Hossain, who represented India's national team for a decade and also featured in the country's top domestic tournament, the Indian Super League (ISL), declared that Morocco's progress to the quarterfinals of the World Cup would transform the way football is played in the Muslim world.
"Without a doubt, Morocco's win over Spain was the biggest upset of the Qatar World Cup. Though their journey is not yet over, the performance they have produced already is set to inspire many youngsters to take up football as a career in the near future," Mehtab Hossain told Sputnik on Friday.
Before Morocco, Saudi Arabia gave the jitters to millions of Lionel Messi fans after the Kingdom's national side stunned them 2-1 in Argentina's first group clash of the tournament.
Despite their remarkable victory over La Albiceleste, the Saudi side failed to qualify for the knock-outs, losing their next two matches to Mexico and Poland.
Yet this is the first time that teams from the Arab world have defeated major football powerhouses like Spain and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
Yet this is the first time that teams from the Arab world have defeated major football powerhouses like Spain and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.