Qatar’s World Cup Bill: US$220 Billion

Qatar will have to fork out more than US$220 billion to successfully host the 2022 FIFA football World Cup, said a German legal and financial analyst to an investors’ summit held in Munich.

Qatar will have to fork out more than US$220 billion to successfully host the 2022 FIFA football World Cup, said a German legal and financial analyst to an investors’ summit held in Munich.

According to Construction Week, Dr. Nicola Ritter estimated the cost of building 12 new air-conditioned stadiums would hit US$48 billion, with a further US$77 billion to be spent on facilities for soccer fans and players, US$50 billion to upgrade Qatar’s current transportation infrastructure, and US$45 billion to develop a brand new 20km² city named Lusail City.

Lusail City will be located at the northeast of the capital of Doha, and will be able to accommodate 200,000 residents once it is completed. The spanking new city will also be the site for the opening and closing matches of the tournament, and will boast facilities such as cinemas, theatres, playgrounds, commercial complexes and landscaped areas for family entertainment.

According to Lusail City’s official website, “the aim is to establish a distinctive 21st century iconic city which celebrates the special cultural and geographical heritage of Qatar and the Gulf Region.”

Connecting Lusail to the rest of Qatar will be the Doha Metro, slated to be completed by 2015. The US$3 billion project is an 85km railway network that will include an east coast link, a high-speed link, a freight link and a light rail system.

Other transportation upgrades include a new port as well as the new Doha International Airport. Both facilities are expected to be crucial in welcoming the influx of tourists expected to arrive on the shores for the event. The new Doha port is also expected to see numerous cruise ships berthed on its shore, which will be used as accommodation for tourists as well.