'100 Days to Go' until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The Al Bayt Stadium will stage the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup
The Al Bayt Stadium will stage the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup Copyright KHALED DESOUKI/AFP or licensors
By Euronews
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The countdown to Qatar 2022 continues with the '100 Days to Go' landmark being reached. Preparations are in full swing - we're in Doha to check on the progress being made.

FOOTBALL NOW is a show that brings to light some of the global game's biggest issues, challenges, and debates.

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With 100 days to go, excitement is building in the Middle East and beyond for the first-ever winter World Cup. It's fair to say preparations are well underway for the biggest sports competition. Eight spectacular stadiums have been officially inaugurated. In preparation for the final, Lusail Stadium will host its first-ever football game.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP or licensors
Qatar will take part in the World Cup for the first timeKARIM JAAFAR/AFP or licensors

Qatar's Time to Shine

  • For Qatar, this World Cup will include many firsts.
  • The host nation's first time at football's showpiece tournament.
  • First winter World Cup.
  • Female referees officiate matches.
  • Seven purposefully built stadiums.
  • The national stadium, Khalifa Stadium, underwent an extensive redesign to make it match-ready to help stage some of the 64 games that will take place in Doha and beyond.
  • All eight World Cup stadiums are within driving distance from each other.
  • It is the most sustainable tournament to date.
  • Qatar will become the 18th nation to host the World Cup, but let's look back on memorable moments from previous tournaments.

2002

Host Nations: Japan & South Korea

Winners: Brazil

Notable Moments: Senegal shock holders France who crash out in Group stage

Host nation South Korea stun Spain & Italy on way to Semi-Finals

Brazil's Ronaldo makes headlines scoring 8 goals in the competition (and due to stand-out haircut)

ODD ANDERSEN/
Ronaldo struck eight goals in 2002 as Brazil won a fifth World CupODD ANDERSEN/

2006

Host Nation: Germany

Winners: Italy

Miroslav Klose helps the host nation progress to the semi-finals with five goals.

Notable Moments: England was eliminated again in a penalty shootout after Wayne Rooney was handed a red card.

The World Cup final saw Zinedine Zidane sensationally sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi.

LUCA BRUNO/AP
Zinedine Zidane is sent off in the 2006 World Cup FinalLUCA BRUNO/AP

2010
Host Nation: South Africa

Winners: Spain

Having won the Euro’s in 2008, La Roja went to South Africa full of confidence and showcased their famed tiki-taka style.

Notable Moments:

Luis Suarez's handball helps deny Ghana from becoming the first African team to make the last four of the competition.

Goal-line technology was introduced partly due to match officials missing Frank Lampard's goal against Germany

Hussein Malla/AP2010
South Africa were the first African hosts of the World Cup in 2010Hussein Malla/AP2010

2014

Host Nation: Brazil
Winners: Germany

Notable Moments:

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Spain was defeated 5-1 in the opening game against the Netherlands and failed to make the last 16.

Brazil lost at home 7-1 in the semi-final clash with Germany in a remarkable game in Belo Horizonte.

Manu Fernandez/
Robin van Persie helped the Netherlands thrash holders Spain in 2014Manu Fernandez/

2018

Host Nation: Russia
Winners: France

 A tournament that saw Kylian Mbappe take the world by storm. The French, led by Didier Deschamps, lifted the trophy for the second time.

Notable Moments:

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2014 winners Germany are knocked out in the group stages, having lost two out of their three games

Portugal's Ronaldo scores in a fourth successive World Cup after a hat-trick in the opening match against Spain

Francisco Seco/Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Ronaldo scored in his fourth successive World Cup tournament in 2018Francisco Seco/Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Football Now spoke with former England international Leon Osman, who says for him, nothing comes close to the excitement of the World Cup.

"You can't wait to see it start, and then you feel like you're in this month-long bubble. A month-long party where there's constantly televised football to watch, and nobody can complain. The family can't complain about you watching every single game that comes on the television. It's absolutely brilliant. I would keep it every four years because the excitement that it brings when that comes around is unrivalled."

What is it like to host a World Cup?

So, what can Qatar expect after hosting the sport's biggest competition? Germany hosted the 2006 tournament just 16 years after reunification in 1990, and sports journalist Raphael Honigstein still looks back fondly on its impact both on and off the field.

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"For Germany, 2006 was really a transformative competition. They (the German team) captured the imagination of the public. 

From going into the tournament with real fears they might embarrass themselves and have the worst World Cup ever on home soil, it went to this national euphoria. Everybody got caught up in this carnival atmosphere
Raphael Honigstein
German Sports Journalist

Who are the potential winners?

The last three tournaments have seen winners from Europe. It will be an exciting time in Qatar, but who will ultimately get their hands on football's most coveted prize? Football Now put this question to sports broadcaster Alvaro Romeo.

"I don't think there is a big favourite, so I'm looking forward to it. Spain has their chances. They've got the best manager around (in Luis Enrique). But don't forget something. A South American nation hasn't won the World Cup since 2002. And normally, this doesn't happen for this long. So, I will say that Brazil or Argentina would be my favourites to win it." 

KAZUHIRO NOGI/
Brazil were the last South American winners of the World Cup in 2002KAZUHIRO NOGI/

So there's plenty for PSG teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi to discuss over the next 100 days.

The anticipation continues as players and fans look towards Qatar and the first Winter World Cup in history.

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