Qatar 2022

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup:

"Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup in a vote by the Fifa executive committee today. It beat competition from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan.

"The Gulf country presented the most technically ambitious plans for a World Cup, using its 30-minute presentation to underline how the tournament could unify a region ravaged by conflict.

"Qatar brings the World Cup to the smallest host ever but one which has unparalleled financial clout to stage the world's biggest single-sport event. It overcame objections about holding the games in desert heat and asked Fifa to take a 'bold gamble...'

"Qatar will stage a World Cup in and around Doha in a desert summer but promises state-of-the-art technology to cool fans and players alike.

"After the elimination of Australia, Japan and South Korea, it came down to a duel between the United States, promising huge commercial spoils in a key growth market, and the new territory of the Gulf region, still flush with riches despite the global financial crisis."