World Cup Controversies But It’ll Be A Spectacle As Ever For Football Fans

Based on current metrics and the most recent surveys taken, it is reliably believed that an estimated 3.5 billion people either watch or play (a good number will do both obviously) the beautiful game of football.

Domestic leagues and Cup competitions across Europe have long been established, and in the United Kingdom especially, a good number of well known and successful clubs have roots taking them back into the late 1800’s, but given the growth of the game in a world wide sense since the early 1990’s, clubs from the Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga and La Liga (amongst others) now regularly tour previously perceived non football orientated markets, for the many lucrative benefits and returns available. That is not to downplay the passion and the tribal nature of the South American game, which is equally well established.

Whether that be the growth of the United States market and their Major League Soccer division (the success of the US’s Women’s team has been a major driver here), or the Chinese Super League to name just two, football is now a multi billion world wide business and whilst money may have taken over in more recent years, it all boils down to a child’s love of the game – as without them, there would be no more fans, and no more multi million players. Have a look here for how these fans add additional excitement during a match day by either backing their team, or occasionally betting against them when it makes more logical and financial sense.

So for that estimated 3.5 billion around the planet, the upcoming 2022 World Cup out in Qatar will be a spectacle to behold. The prestigious and lucrative World Cup has never been held in the Arab world previously and the associated heat, high and humid temperatures have certainly been a challenge for FIFA and Qatar to deal with, but it is believed that technology will enable the showcase event to go off without a hitch.

For the more historic and the stattos amongst us, the Qatar award also marks only the second time a World Cup has been held entirely in Asia following the shared tournament between South Korea and Japan back in the grand old days of the 2002 competition. It might not be a major point, but with a planned increase from 32 national sides for the 2022 edition, to a whopping 48 sides when fans travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, Qatar has place itself in World Cup history for more than one reason.

There have obviously been issues of concern with the award of the World Cup to Qatar, there are numerous allegations of corruption during the selection campaign, but despite investigations ruling out any violations, questions remain – not least over the treatment of workers employed to build the required stadiums. There are certainly those who question the selection given it means a first ever Autumn and Winter competition and the inconvenience and disruption that has caused to existing and long standing set domestic campaign seasons in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa to name just four.

One thing is for sure though, when that first kick off takes place and the ball is struck in the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, concerns will be maybe wrongly forgotten for a period of time as fans will just want to enjoy the football on display.