Qatar, stage for the 2022 World Cup
The French team of Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé will go to Qatar to defend its title of world champion won in Russia (in 2018) from November 21 to December 18, 2022. This global event, which will bring the world's cameras to the emirate for a few weeks, is historic for the country. The Qatar 2022 Committee is committed to providing stadiums inspired by the country's architecture, with extremely high security provisions and a capacity of between 40,000 and 80,000 seats. All the stadiums will be modular and can be partially "relocated" after the tournament, as Qatar plans to offer the modular components to other countries after the Cup. And reduce the capacity of the stadiums to best suit its needs. Note that for the first time in history, the World Cup will be held in winter, as the heat is too stifling in summer. But the temperatures are also high in winter, so most of the stadiums will be... air-conditioned!
Lusail Iconic Stadium. With a capacity of 80,000, the largest stadium in the country will host the opening and final matches of the 2022 World Cup as well as four other matches. Located in Lusail City, on the seafront 7 kilometers from the Corniche, the stadium will have a new metro station and will be connected to roads and bus lines.
Designed by architects Foster & Partners, the stadium is shaped like the region's traditional sailing boat, the dhow, with a retractable roof and solar-powered cooling technologies up to 27°C. After the World Cup, it will host cultural performances and sporting events.
Khalifa International Stadium. Located in al-Rayyan, this stadium has a capacity of 45,000. It was built by the French architect Roger Taillibert, famous for designing the Parc des Princes. It will host 8 games during the World Cup, including the3rd place match.
Al Thumama Stadium. Located 12 km from downtown Doha, this stadium has a capacity of 40,000 and its structure evokes the traditional Arab Gahfiya headdress. After the World Cup, it will be reduced to 20,000 seats.
Stadium 974. The Doha Port stadium is an engineering marvel and is fully modular and demountable with a capacity of 40,000 seats. One of the main assets of Qatar's bid and undoubtedly the most spectacular, built in the bay of Doha, built on water around a small port, it is composed of 974 containers and much of its structure is made of recycled steel. Located on an artificial island, it evokes the aquatic world. After the World Cup, the entire stadium will be dismantled and the seats will be sent to developing countries.
Education City Stadium. In al-Rayyan, the Education City Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 seats and is located in the Education City campus, which is home to prestigious Qatari and foreign universities. The round of 16 will be played there. Its shape is original, as it is inspired by a diamond, illuminated by a thousand lights at night. After the World Cup, the stadium will be reduced to 25,000 seats, which will be used by the athletics teams of the campus universities.
Al Bayt Stadium. The al-Khor Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 seats. With its shell-like shape and a movable roof to cover sunny areas, it evokes the region's pearling past. The stadium offers spectators a breathtaking view of the Persian Gulf from their seats and will be located in a sports and leisure area.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The al-Rayyan Stadium is a technological gem with a capacity of 44,740 seats. Its facade is covered with giant screens that can be used to project information, get updates and see the games in progress. The capacity will be reduced to 21,282 seats after the World Cup.
Al-Janoub Stadium. The stadium is located in Al-Wakrah, one of the oldest cities in Qatar, traditionally known for its pearl and fishing trade. It will host a round of 16 match. The 45,120-seat stadium and surrounding sports complexes symbolize an oasis, as water has played an important role in the city's history. After the World Cup, the stadium will hold 25,500 seats.
Falconry, the traditional activity
Falconry was once the preserve of nomadic tribes and is now considered a noble passion requiring patience and skill. Today, it is considered a noble passion that requires patience and skill. We will visit the falconry section at Souq Waqif. A bond ofalmkhuwa (brotherhood) or al-shareek (partnership ethics) governs the conduct of falconers. Almkhuwa means the bond of companionship and equal sharing of tasks, costs and responsibilities during a hunting trip. These are usually groups of six to twelve falconers who go on a trip for one to three weeks. After a day's hunting, they gather around a campfire and tell stories or anecdotes about the day just passed, often composing poems. For thealmkhuwa group, falconry is a way to savor a cultural tradition that celebrates the spirit of camaraderie in the desert. In Arab falconry, the falconer pronounces the name of God before the bird or animal caught by his falcon. Falconers take their children into the desert and teach them how to control the falcon and develop a trusting relationship with a bird that is often part of the family. It is a long process that leads the falcon to recognize the falconer's voice. This process also involves the development of skills such as the art of feeding and carrying the falcon on the fist, or calling the falcon by spinning a decoy. There is now a falconry festival in September, during which demonstrations can be seen.
By camel or horse, very popular races
Camel racing. To discover this traditional sport, you have to go to theAl Shahaniyah Camel racetrack, 20 minutes west of Doha. The easiest way is to read the press reviews to note the schedule. A very special atmosphere, a lot of dust and a change of scenery. Only the sheikhs have very large stallions. A Bedouin will breed a single female, with the hope that she will give birth, after twelve months, to a future champion... or championess, because the females are faster.
Horse races. There are not only camels to sweat in Qatar! The Qatari Equestrian Federation has existed since 1976. The country has a special link with the equestrian world and an exponential development (as it is the case in other sports) since the beginning of the new century: high level riders, breeding of prestigious Arabian thoroughbreds, organization of horse races and equestrian competitions, notably at the Racing & Equestrian Club of Doha. Although horse riding is not yet at the level observed in the neighboring Arab states, the Qatar emirs are not measuring their investments when it comes to developing activities around horses: racing, show jumping, dressage and especially endurance, a local "specialty". Endurance is, in fact, the most practiced equestrian sport in Qatar.
The passion of the automobile
Thanks to the fluidity of financial means and the low cost of gasoline, Qataris drive German, American, English or Japanese cars. Watch the mechanical ballet in the most exclusive places on a weekend evening and you will quickly understand how much the locals love to take their big cars out! The sports cars, the show-off cars are the prerogative of the gentlemen (of course!) while the ladies like to drive around in big protective 4x4s. And the national hero is Nasser Al Attiyah, four times winner of the Dakar, the last edition in January 2022, and bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics in... shooting sports! Every Friday, during the winter season, Qataris meet in the desert for informal races in the dunes of the inland sea.
Relaxation and water sports on the agenda!
Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the Arabian Sea and is sunny all year round. In short, all the conditions are met to be able to practice idleness and all kinds of water sports
Kitesurfing and sailing. A kitesurfing spot on Al Rayyan beach, near Dukhan in the west is being developed. You can rent equipment and take lessons. Perfect conditions for sailing as well.
Stand-up paddle. Stand-up paddling is now available in the canals of El Qanat district at The Pearl.
Kayaking. Kayaks can be rented for a guided tour with a biologist to visit the mangroves around Al Khor and Purple Island. Half-day expeditions from Doha are also available through tour operators.
Motorized water sports. All along the Qatari coastline, you can drive high-powered jet skis, enjoy water skiing or wakeboarding, or go parasailing, flyboarding..
Scuba diving. Some wrecks or the artificial reef of Messaieed allow to have a good overview of the local underwater life. Not unforgettable, but always nice!
The desert, a real playground
Less than a hundred kilometers from the buildings, we are in the heart of the giant dunes, in a landscape larger than the imagination. Lunar landscapes, strong sensations and great peace guaranteed!
Buggy and quad. After a briefing and a training time to get used to the machine, the tourists drivers are taken by a guide through the dunes. A real atypical experience, for all those who love speed, mechanical sports and off the beaten track rides!
Camel ride. For a simple discovery, a short initiation of a few minutes can be enough, because it is necessary to recognize that the most amusing moments are the "putting on the back" and the descent, that is to say the very beginning and the end of the stroll! The sunset rides are very popular.
Dune bashing. Dune bashing is a 4x4 ride through the dunes with a driver who is used to this type of terrain and who will make you shiver. The ride brings its share of change of scenery.
Sandboarding. After having put on sandboards, we launch ourselves from the highest dune, thinking that the sand will absorb the fall. Hilarious!
