
<p>With the 2022 World Cup underway, we explain why and how Qatar won the rights to host the World Cup.</p>



<p><em>“How did I get here?!”</em></p>



<p>The line from the Talking Heads’ 1980 track “Once in a Lifetime” may just be something ringing through the minds of many of the players, coaches, fans and media members who find themselves in Qatar right now. Casual viewers, unaware of the politics of the soccer world, who are tuning in may also be wondering, “Why <em>is</em> Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup?”</p>



<p>The answer is both complicated and incredibly simple. The complicated answer is a long-simmering culture of corruption, backdoor dealings, and ego. The simple answer is money, and lots of it.  </p>



<h2>Best way to understand how Qatar won the rights</h2>



<p>The documentary <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ8ZikLMoMk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fall Of FIFA: How Qatar Got The World Cup</a></em> is one of many that exposes how we’ve arrived at a World Cup hosted by a nation the size of Connecticut, with only one major city, at the wrong time of year and in venues that, mostly, didn’t exist just a few years ago. </p>



<p>In our opinion, the video below is the best and most authoritative explanation of what happened to lead to Qatar hosting the World Cup. It’s certainly better than <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/fifa-uncovered-docuseries-coming-to-netflix-in-november-20221026-WST-405823.html">FIFA Uncovered</a>, which is currently on Netflix.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Fall Of FIFA: How Qatar Got The World Cup | Absolute Documentaries" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tZ8ZikLMoMk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The story is mostly told through the lens of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/what-did-us-soccer-know-about-chuck-blazers-bribes-20150603-CMS-141205.html">Chuck Blazer</a>, former secretary general of CONCACAF and member of the FIFA executive committee, those close to him and other heavy hitters in the FIFA organization. </p>



<p>The tale recalls lavish gatherings and meals, cash gifts to ExCo members, an office bird aviary at Trump Tower, an apartment for <em>cats</em>, and other excessive indulgences from the CONCACAF kingpin.</p>



<h2>FIFA undone by whistleblower</h2>



<p>In early 2010, the African Football Union met in Angola, where their meeting was sponsored by the Qatar 2022 bid. Three ExCo votes were in attendance and up for grabs at the time.  In the documentary, Phaedra Almajid – a media coordinator for the Qatar bid – details how she was brought in to translate during this conference, with all three members as they were offered 1.5 million dollars each in exchange for support for the bid. <br><br><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/13/fifa-reynald-temarii-banned-eight-years-ethics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reynald Temarii</a>, then-ExCo member representing Oceania, is shown later that year in hidden camera footage openly soliciting a bribe, for which he was later suspended from FIFA. Strong-arming by the Qataris of Michel Platini and UEFA is also heavily implied. <br><br>One anecdote from the film certainly stands out amongst the reactions to the 2022 voting results. The announcement of Qatar as the 2022 host was so stunning, that apparently former president Bill Clinton, in attendance with the US delegation, smashed a mirror with an ashtray in his hotel room after the vote.<br><br>In the years following the decision to award the World Cup to Qatar (and Russia), immense pressure was thrown onto FIFA, and serious investigations were undertaken into the bidding process for 2018 and 2022. An internal report undertaken by FIFA was so damaging, that the ExCo decided to not release it publicly in its entirely.<br><br>Sepp Blatter was interviewed, and reveals that the president of France had pressured Platini to support the Qatar bid – allegedly in a quid pro quo ensuring Qatar would purchase French-made aircraft. Though he then goes on to claim ignorance about other details of bought votes and corruption which were outlined in FIFA’s own internal report.</p>



<h2>DOJ and FBI step in</h2>



<p>Things started to fall apart for FIFA, in part, because Chuck Blazer agreed to cooperate with an FBI investigation as part of a deal – acting as an informant during the 2012 London Olympics to help nail down corrupt officials. Blazer was compelled to participate after the FBI discovered he had been dodging millions in in taxes.<br><br>May 2015 saw a series of highly profile arrests of FIFA officials in Switzerland, as well as CONCACAF’s Miami headquarters, as the FBI clamped down those responsible for corrupt activities within the organization. </p>



<p>All in all it’s a fascinating look into the seedy underbelly of one of the world’s most power sporting organization. The tournament has still gone on in Qatar despite many issues and problems – but perhaps the silver lining is that in the wake of the controversial awarding of the bid, at least <em>some</em> of the unseemly characters and practices have been removed from the game. Or at least, we can only hope.</p>



<p><em>Thank you to DW (Deutsche Welle) for explaining how Qatar won the rights</em> to the FIFA World Cup.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: Imago</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
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Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


We explain how Qatar won the rights to World Cup 2022 in one of the most controversial decisions ever reached in the soccer.

How Qatar won the rights to host the World Cup - World Soccer Talk

How Qatar won the rights to host the World Cup

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<p>Netflix is releasing a documentary series called <em><a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80221113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA Uncovered</a></em> on Nov. 9. The show debuts just 11 days before the upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 World Cup</a> in Qatar begins. <em>FIFA Uncovered</em> takes a look into <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-sepp-blatter-not-among-them-20150527-CMS-140712.html">corruption</a>, money laundering, racketeering, tax evasion, and wire fraud within the organization.</p>



<p>The streaming service has just recently released a powerful trailer for the docuseries. In the 90-second sneak peek, the trailer gives a glimpse into the dark side of the governing body of the sport within the last decade or so. Perhaps most intriguing will be the exploration into the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. </p>



<p>Netflix’s official UK &amp; Ireland Twitter account helped explain the docuseries as they released the trailer. “For decades, FIFA united the globe through football.  But behind the game, craftier schemes were at play,” stated the streaming service.</p>



<p>“This documentary series traces the organization’s legacy, exploring the pageantry, power struggles, and politics of hosting the World Cup. FIFA Uncovered, coming 9 Nov.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="FIFA Uncovered | Official Trailer | Netflix" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V0UlWZNp6cI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Netflix docuseries ‘FIFA Uncovered’ airs just before Qatar World Cup</h2>



<p>Federal prosecutors <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/05/27/fifa-officials-arrested-corruption-charges-extradition-united-states/27997783/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously indicted</a> over a dozen FIFA officials in 2015. These high-ranking defendants faced a host of charges that included bribery and money laundering. The United States Department of Justice finally came to the conclusion last year that people working for Russia’s 2018 bid and Qatar’s 2022 bid bribed FIFA officials in exchange for votes. </p>



<p>Timing of the docuseries could not have come at a worse moment for FIFA. The governing body has been under constant pressure regarding the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Not only have there been questions about corruption, but the migrant worker crisis and other human rights issues have plagued the tournament as well.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the 2022 World Cup is all set to begin in November. The opening match of the competition will take place on November 21st, as hosts Qatar face off against Ecuador.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Geisser</em></p>


FIFA Uncovered is the latest soccer docuseries to air on Netflix. It chronicles the corruption and mismanagement of soccer and the World Cup.

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How Qatar won the rights to host the World Cup

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'FIFA Uncovered' docuseries coming to Netflix in November