By Anil Bhoyrul

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Posted inIndustries Sport

Qatar becomes first Arab host of the FIFA World Cup

Gulf state emerges as shock 2022 bid winner after beating off bids from Australia and USA

By Anil Bhoyrul
HOSTS ANNOUNCED: Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, announced Russia and Qatar as the respective hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups
HOSTS ANNOUNCED: Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, announced Russia and Qatar as the respective hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups

Qatar is to stage the 2022 World Cup, becoming the the first ever Muslim and Arab country to host the cup. The dramatic announcement was made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Thursday night, after beating off bids from Japan/Korea, Australia and the USA.

Australia had been favourites, with concerns over hosting the event during the summer in Qatar. However the country has promised to build a number of air conditioned soccer stadiums.

There was also disappointment for England after the 2018 World Cup went to Russia.

Earlier, Prince William, David Beckham and UK Prime Minister David Cameron had visited Zurich to try and persuade FIFA delegates to back the English bid, and many experts believed England would win the bid.

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