By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
December 2 – Qatar were awarded the 2022 World Cup by FIFA’s Executive Committee, it was announced here today.
The tiny Middle East country, with a population of only 1.7 million, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in bidding history to beat Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
They will be the smallest country ever to host the World Cup.
Australia, who earlier in the week had been the bookmakers favourites, were knocked out in the first round.
They were then followed by Japan in the second round and South Korea in the third before Qatar won in the fourth round against the US.
Qatar polled 14 votes in the final round to the eight of the US.
Qatar 2022 bid chairman Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “Thank you for believing in change, thank you for believing in expanding the game, thank you for giving Qatar a chance.
Qatar’s win came despite serious reservations being raised about the logistical problems of staging the football tournament in the Gulf during the searing heat of the summer months.
But Al-Thani claimed they would overcome any obstacles.
He said: “We won’t let you down.
“You will be proud of us, proud of the Middle East.
“We have a date with history – which is 2022.
“We started off by being written off.
“Today we celebrate – but tomorrow the hard work begins.”
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