Look back at 2010: ‘Qatar think they might just have got it’

Al Jazeera’s sports activities reporter appears again on the World Cup, from the day Qatar received the bid to the ultimate straight.

FIFA's then-President Sepp Blatter broadcasts that Qatar can be internet hosting the 2022 World Cup [Walter Bieri/EPA]

Doha, Qatar – It was textual content messages again in 2010, a reminiscence that dates each the Qatar World Cup and me.

I used to be standing exterior an exhibition centre in Zurich, stamping my ft to maintain heat in between doing stay studies for Al Jazeera. FIFA was about to announce the hosts for the 2022 World Cup.

My fingers had been definitely getting an excellent exercise as choice time obtained nearer that snowy December day.

The inbox on my banged-up Nokia was filling up with notes from colleagues contained in the toasty confines of the Messe Corridor, and all had an identical chorus.

“Qatar suppose they could simply have gotten it” would greatest summarise the general sentiment. A stay feed of the grand envelope opening was being fed into my ear as former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter stepped as much as ship the phrases that modified a nation perpetually.

“The winner to host the 2 twenty-two FIFA World Cup is Qatar!”

Not solely did we have now a brand new manner of claiming 2022, however soccer’s greatest match additionally had a brand new dwelling.

Qatar on the point of host the world, not simply the taking part nations [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

The subsequent day, a shivering press huddle gathered exterior the resort the place Qatar’s bid crew was staying. The pinnacle of the committee, Hassan Al Thawadi, took just a few questions earlier than leaving for the airport.

The primary theme that morning was Qatar’s climate and the excessive temperatures in June and July when the World Cup is historically held. There was additionally the “lack of footballing tradition” cost thrown at Al Thawadi.

That was simply day one in all Qatar being within the world highlight like by no means earlier than. The pointed questions in that freezing Swiss automobile park had been simply the beginning.

With an unprecedented 12-year build-up, this World Cup has been scrutinised like no different. My hope is that the idealism moderately than the criticism of the 2010 bid does grow to be a actuality; that followers will be capable of journey to multiple recreation per day; that sceptics visiting the Center East for the primary time have a few of their preconceptions modified.

Any veterans of that chilly morning in Switzerland might also notice that air-conditioned stadiums have been constructed and Qatar’s nationwide crew that kicks off this World Cup will achieve this as reigning Asian Cup champions.

Qatar welcomes its Asian Cup soccer champions dwelling [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Most of all, I’m trying ahead to seeing this World Cup mirrored by means of the eyes of my younger son. He’s simply one of many many adjustments which have occurred in my life since that vote greater than a decade in the past. A formative footballing reminiscence of mine is watching the 1982 World Cup as a seven-year-old and falling in love with the yellow Brazilian jersey.

It opened my eyes to a beguiling world past the mud and chill winds of English soccer. It confirmed in my thoughts that this recreation would perpetually be part of my life. My son can’t wait to look at the world’s greatest at their greatest. He needs to see objectives, recreate them within the again backyard and relive them in his desires.

For just a few days at the least, we must always all be allowed to welcome a bit of wide-eyed pleasure again into our lives.

Doha’s skyline because it prepares to host the World Cup [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]