The soccer World Cup is one of sport’s most anticipated and watched events.

Futbol, after all, is the most popular participant and spectator sport on the planet, needing only a round ball and a flat piece of ground to get a game started.

So why has the 2022 World Cup failed to spark the kind of enthusiasm that usually precedes this tournament?

In December 2010, the International Football Federation (FIFA) chose Qatar as the host nation for this year’s World Cup, a decision that surprised and angered many players, fans and commentators, given the country’s lack of soccer history, the intense desert heat and dubious human rights practices.

Allegations of corruption regarding under the table payments by Qatar to FIFA executive committee members for their votes were made, although despite investigations, the tiny, rich nation was allowed to keep the tournament.

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