FOOTBALL NOW is a show that brings to light some of the global game’s biggest issues, challenges, and debates.
With 100 days to go, excitement is building in the Middle East and beyond for the first-ever winter World Cup. It’s fair to say preparations are well underway for the biggest sports competition. Eight spectacular stadiums have been officially inaugurated. In preparation for the final, Lusail Stadium will host its first-ever football game.
Qatar’s Time to Shine
- For Qatar, this World Cup will include many firsts.
- The host nation’s first time at football’s showpiece tournament.
- First winter World Cup.
- Female referees officiate matches.
- Seven purposefully built stadiums.
- The national stadium, Khalifa Stadium, underwent an extensive redesign to make it match-ready to help stage some of the 64 games that will take place in Doha and beyond.
- All eight World Cup stadiums are within driving distance from each other.
- It is the most sustainable tournament to date.
- Qatar will become the 18th nation to host the World Cup, but let’s look back on memorable moments from previous tournaments.
2002
Host Nations: Japan & South Korea
Winners: Brazil
Notable Moments: Senegal shock holders France who crash out in Group stage
Host nation South Korea stun Spain & Italy on way to Semi-Finals
Brazil’s Ronaldo makes headlines scoring 8 goals in the competition (and due to stand-out haircut)
2006
Host Nation: Germany
Winners: Italy
Miroslav Klose helps the host nation progress to the semi-finals with five goals.
Notable Moments: England was eliminated again in a penalty shootout after Wayne Rooney was handed a red card.
The World Cup final saw Zinedine Zidane sensationally sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi.
2010
Host Nation: South Africa
Winners: Spain
Having won the Euro’s in 2008, La Roja went to South Africa full of confidence and showcased their famed tiki-taka style.
Notable Moments:
Luis Suarez’s handball helps deny Ghana from becoming the first African team to make the last four of the competition.
Goal-line technology was introduced partly due to match officials missing Frank Lampard’s goal against Germany
2014
Host Nation: Brazil
Winners: Germany
Notable Moments:
Spain was defeated 5-1 in the opening game against the Netherlands and failed to make the last 16.
Brazil lost at home 7-1 in the semi-final clash with Germany in a remarkable game in Belo Horizonte.
2018
Host Nation: Russia
Winners: France
A tournament that saw Kylian Mbappe take the world by storm. The French, led by Didier Deschamps, lifted the trophy for the second time.
Notable Moments:
2014 winners Germany are knocked out in the group stages, having lost two out of their three games
Portugal’s Ronaldo scores in a fourth successive World Cup after a hat-trick in the opening match against Spain
Football Now spoke with former England international Leon Osman, who says for him, nothing comes close to the excitement of the World Cup.
“You can’t wait to see it start, and then you feel like you’re in this month-long bubble. A month-long party where there’s constantly televised football to watch, and nobody can complain. The family can’t complain about you watching every single game that comes on the television. It’s absolutely brilliant. I would keep it every four years because the excitement that it brings when that comes around is unrivalled.”
What is it like to host a World Cup?
So, what can Qatar expect after hosting the sport’s biggest competition? Germany hosted the 2006 tournament just 16 years after reunification in 1990, and sports journalist Raphael Honigstein still looks back fondly on its impact both on and off the field.
“For Germany, 2006 was really a transformative competition. They (the German team) captured the imagination of the public.
Who are the potential winners?
The last three tournaments have seen winners from Europe. It will be an exciting time in Qatar, but who will ultimately get their hands on football’s most coveted prize? Football Now put this question to sports broadcaster Alvaro Romeo.
“I don’t think there is a big favourite, so I’m looking forward to it. Spain has their chances. They’ve got the best manager around (in Luis Enrique). But don’t forget something. A South American nation hasn’t won the World Cup since 2002. And normally, this doesn’t happen for this long. So, I will say that Brazil or Argentina would be my favourites to win it.”
So there’s plenty for PSG teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi to discuss over the next 100 days.
The anticipation continues as players and fans look towards Qatar and the first Winter World Cup in history.
Add Comment