Qatar has spent nearly $300 billion since it awarded the small, gas-rich country the honor of hosting the 2022 World Cup, according to the agency. bloomberg.
The agency said eight stadiums will host matches in the tournament, seven of which have been recently built and one refurbished, but all represent just a fraction of the sums Qatar has invested since being awarded the right to host the tournament. global event in 2010.
The tournament is being held in the Middle East for the first time since its inception 92 years ago, making it the largest sporting event ever held in the region. It will be the most expensive World Cup in history, according to Bloomberg.
The tournament is also the first global gathering open to the public since COVID-19 restrictions prevented fans from attending the Tokyo Summer Olympics and Beijing Winter Games.
The biggest projects before the World Cup
Qatar built an all-new $36 billion subway system, a $7 billion modern cargo port, and an expansion of its main airport costing more than $15 billion.
The expenditure also included about $45 billion to build Lusail, a huge project north of Doha, which includes residential areas capable of accommodating 200,000 people, as well as shopping complexes, four artificial islands, entertainment centers and the largest stadium in the world. Country with 80,000 spectators, where the World Cup final will be held.
Qatar also spent $4.5 billion to develop the capital’s center and $3.2 billion to establish economic zones.
And unlike previous World Cups, where stadiums were usually spread across several cities, all matches will be played within a distance of around 50 kilometres, meaning around one million fans, nearly a third of Qatar’s total population, they will gather in the capital during the month-long tournament.
Bloomberg says Qatari officials hope the infrastructure developed as part of World Cup preparations will help boost the non-energy economy.
The agency adds that most economists expect non-energy business activity to slow in the aftermath of the tournament as residential buildings and hotels will be devoid of World Cup visitors.
Finally, the tournament is expected to generate record revenue and surpass the nearly $5.4 billion generated by the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
