World Cup “Qatarstrophe”?
Many countries felt shocked and cheated when FIFA chose Qatar to host the 2022 football World Cup. But it could usher in a new era for the sport and the region.
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“It’s time we realized that they don’t just play dominos in the Orient.” In 12 years’ time, the soccer World Cup will take place in the desert nation of Qatar, a country that has never participated in a World Cup. The German tabloid Bild called it a “Qatarstrophe”. It was a scandal for everyone who sees football as a game for Europe and its former colonies. But the event could give a boost to the whole region, and usher in a new era for the sport. Muslim clerics are even prepared to relax the country’s strict rules during the tournament.
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