Podcasts

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines: What's it like at the Qatar World Cup?

Thousands of fans, dozens of games and the first Middle East World Cup. This week, we hear what it's actually like on the ground

The National

November 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The world came together in Qatar when the Fifa World Cup kicked off for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world.

But even before a ball had been kicked, there were many reasons why the Qatar tournament is unlike any other.

It is the costliest World Cup and Qatar is also the smallest country to host the competition by land size and population.

This week on Beyond the Headlines, host Gully Burrows takes a look at the World Cup in Qatar to find out exactly what it’s like on the ground there.

Argentina fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Souq Waqif, Doha, while marking the second anniversary of Diego Maradona's death. PA
Argentina fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Souq Waqif, Doha, while marking the second anniversary of Diego Maradona's death. PA
Ecuador's heroic striker Enner Valencia fired in an equaliser against the Netherlands. AFP
Ecuador's heroic striker Enner Valencia fired in an equaliser against the Netherlands. AFP
Frankie de Jong of the Netherlands, centre, challenges for the ball against three of Ecuador's players. AP
Frankie de Jong of the Netherlands, centre, challenges for the ball against three of Ecuador's players. AP
Ecuador's Jackson Porozo. AP
Ecuador's Jackson Porozo. AP
Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammad collapses dejected on the pitch after his side's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. AFP
Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammad collapses dejected on the pitch after his side's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. AFP
Senegal fans burst into rapturous celebrations in the stands as their team secure their first points of the World Cup. Reuters
Senegal fans burst into rapturous celebrations in the stands as their team secure their first points of the World Cup. Reuters
Bamba Dieng of Senegal, right, is challenged by Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo. Getty Images
Bamba Dieng of Senegal, right, is challenged by Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo. Getty Images
The vocal Senegal fans at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images
The vocal Senegal fans at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images
The fan zone at Al Bidda Park, Doha, was packed with fans from around the world as Qatar played Senegal. Reuters
The fan zone at Al Bidda Park, Doha, was packed with fans from around the world as Qatar played Senegal. Reuters
Roozbeh Cheshmi celebrates scoring Iran's first goal against Wales. PA
Roozbeh Cheshmi celebrates scoring Iran's first goal against Wales. PA
Wales's goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, right, collides with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. He was sent off shortly after. AP Photo
Wales's goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, right, collides with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. He was sent off shortly after. AP Photo
Police officers confiscate an Iran fan's 'Women Life Freedom' flag inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
Police officers confiscate an Iran fan's 'Women Life Freedom' flag inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
One emotional Iran supporter holds a shirt reading 'Mahsa Amini' in memory of the 22-year-old who died in Tehran in September. AP Photo
One emotional Iran supporter holds a shirt reading 'Mahsa Amini' in memory of the 22-year-old who died in Tehran in September. AP Photo
An Iran fan outside the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, before his team's Group B match against Wales. Reuters
An Iran fan outside the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, before his team's Group B match against Wales. Reuters
An Iran fan has his face painted ahead of the clash with Wales. Reuters
An Iran fan has his face painted ahead of the clash with Wales. Reuters
Hijinks involving Australia's Andrew Redmayne and Cameron Devlin during training at the Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty Images
Hijinks involving Australia's Andrew Redmayne and Cameron Devlin during training at the Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty Images
Wales fans gather next to a giant bucket hat decorated with their country's flag, at the Corniche Walk Way Park in Doha, ahead of their Group B game against Iran. PA
Wales fans gather next to a giant bucket hat decorated with their country's flag, at the Corniche Walk Way Park in Doha, ahead of their Group B game against Iran. PA
Wales fans attach their country's flag to railings at the Corniche Walk Way Park. PA
Wales fans attach their country's flag to railings at the Corniche Walk Way Park. PA
A mural of Diego Maradona at West Bay in Doha, on the second anniversary of the Argentina football legend's death on November 25, 2020. AP
A mural of Diego Maradona at West Bay in Doha, on the second anniversary of the Argentina football legend's death on November 25, 2020. AP
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndergraduate%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EInterior%20Design%3B%20Product%20Design%3B%20Visual%20Design%3B%20Fashion%20Design%20%26amp%3B%20Accessories%3B%20Fashion%20Styling%20%26amp%3B%20Creative%20Direction%3B%20Fashion%20Business%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Fashion%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Design%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EProfessional%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20e-Commerce%20%26amp%3B%20Digital%20Marketing%3B%20Fashion%20Entrepreneurship%3B%20Fashion%20Luxury%20Retail%20and%20Visual%20Merchandising%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShort%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20design%3B%20Fashion%20Image%20%26amp%3B%20Styling%3B%20Fashion%20Trend%20Forecasting%3B%20Interior%20Design%3B%20Digital%20Art%20in%20Fashion%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20is%20at%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istitutomarangoni.com%2Fen%3Futm_source%3DLocal%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3Dgmb%26utm_content%3Ddubai%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Ewww.istitutomarangoni.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Updated: November 25, 2022, 2:01 PM`
Beyond the HeadlinesWorld CupQatar

Most popular today

1

Inside UAE’s most expensive school, from Dh200,000 fees to esports classrooms

2

After decades of acclaim, Brad Pitt finally has his blockbuster – and Abu Dhabi helped make it happen

3

Dubai's new first-time home buyer scheme to benefit existing residents amid foreign investor surge

4

Dubai launches scheme to help first-time investors buy properties valued up to Dh5m

5

The meaning behind the UAE's new dirham banknotes

6

Iker Casillas on Cristiano Ronaldo, the rise of Middle East football and the future of sport

7

Sharjah road closures in place for two months due to Etihad Rail work

8

What can be done to solve UAE traffic congestion?

9

Nothing Phone (3): UAE release date, price and everything else you need to know

10

As Dubai cracks down on illegal partitions and subletting, here's what you should know