Twelve years after being granted the right to host the 2022 World Cup, the small desert nation of Qatar is almost ready to welcome people to the globe’s biggest sporting event. (No, Americans, it’s not the Super Bowl.)

Qualifications began three years ago and teams from 32 countries, plus their hordes of support staff and frenzied fans, will descend on the Arabian Gulf country, with its population of fewer than three million.

The number of people in Qatar could swell by another million come 20 November, when the tournament kicks off – one day earlier than originally scheduled – with a match between the hosts and Ecuador.

One can imagine the sense of excitement and anticipation ahead of that day. After all, who can forget the first game of the 2010 World Cup, and the first goal, as South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala drilled the ball into the back of the net, past the Mexican keeper?

Qatar, a monarchy under the reign of its emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has been transformed.

Already a land of modern skyscrapers, thanks to the oil and gas that naturally abounds, billions of dollars more have been spent on infrastructure, including seven new stadiums, extensive road networks and hotels.

These will be left as a legacy as the nation attempts to grow the game in the region post-WC2022.

While temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s, far below the 40°C+ of June, it will equal the summer temperatures of many visiting nations, and there will no doubt be plenty of sunscreen packed.

However, not everyone can expect a warm welcome.

Qatar does not have an exemplary human rights record, and while authorities may turn a blind eye to some issues for the duration of the tournament, there are sure to be plenty of protests and those who dare challenge the status quo can expect hostility rather than hospitality.

And while the country’s strict liquor laws may also be relaxed, alcohol will be both scarce and expensive.

But don’t expect to see female match officials.

#TacklingQatar2022: Manned by soccer fundi Dave Savides, the Corner Shop is the place to be for Soccer World Cup news. Savides, the long-time editor of the Zululand Observer, is tackling the coverage of the world’s greatest footie extravaganza for Caxton Local Media.

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