Where is Qatar, when is the 2022 World Cup and what’s weather usually like?
The small gulf state with a population of just 2.6million will host the World Cup in 2022
QATAR is a small gulf state in the Middle East where the World Cup is due to be hosted in 2022.
But where exactly is the country - and what will the climate be like for our footballing heroes?
Where is Qatar?
Qatar is a peninsula bordering eastern Saudi Arabia and jutting out into the Persian Gulf.
The Islamic monarchist country has a small population of only 2.6million — of which just 313,000 are Qatari citizens and 2.3million are expats.
Rich in oil and gas reserves, Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world.
The former British protectorate gained independence in 1971.
Qatar has used its vast wealth to wield influence on the world stage despite its small population.
It is widely believed to have funded rebel groups during the Arab Spring and has a growing influence in the media through its Al Jazeera network.
The capital is Doha, with a population close to 1.5million.
What is the weather like in Qatar?
Qatar has an extremely warm and arid climate - typical of the region.
Temperatures can reach the mid-to-high 20s in the winter — while in the summer temperatures regularly reach around 45C.
Rainfall is also incredibly rare — with precipitation totalling no more than a couple of inches a year.
Between June and October, the average rainfall is zero.
When is the 2022 World Cup?
Qatar will host the 2022 Fifa World Cup from 21 November – 18 December.
It will be the first World Cup to be hosted in the winter given the exceptionally high summer temperatures.
It is also the first Arab country to host the World Cup.
What is the controversy surrounding Qatar hosting the World Cup?
Fifa awarded the World Cup to Qatar in 2010 — a decision that has been mired in controversy ever since.
It was a surprise victory, beating Australia, the United States and outsiders England.
But a series of damning media reports have suggested dirty tricks and money were involved in the decision.
Fifa had been accused of corruption but was cleared following a two-year enquiry that some deemed a whitewash.
Other indictments include accusations of slave labour being used to build the vast infrastructure required to host the World Cup.
Amnesty International says migrants are being abused and exploited to work building new stadiums.
The charity said: "Some are being subjected to forced labour.
"They can’t change jobs, they can’t leave the country and they often wait months to get paid.
"Meanwhile, Fifa, its sponsors and the construction companies involved are set to make massive financial gains from the tournament."
The paper was handed leaked documents showing Qatari officials hired ex-CIA agents and a US PR firm to sabotage rival bids.
The alleged aim of the "dirty tricks" campaign was to suggest the World Cup would not be supported domestically in those countries.
Protests were organised at rugby games in Australia demonstrating against the country's bid, according to the documents.
And in the US, it was claimed that Congressmen were lobbied to oppose the country's bid on the grounds the money would be better used on high school sports and the tournament would damage the US economy.
Neither the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid team or BLJ Worldwide responded to requests for comment from The Sunday Times.
A Fifa statement said "a thorough investigation was conducted by Michael Garcia and his conclusions are available in the report".
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