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Business The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was the most expensive World Cup in history

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was the most expensive World Cup in history (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)

By Savannah Young Leaders Staff

Savannah Young

News Writer

Savannah Young is a news writer for Leaders Media. Previously, she was a digital reporter for WATE Channel 6 (ABC)...

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Dec 19, 2022

Tallying the Cost Of the World Cup

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was the most expensive World Cup in history—with the cost more than 10 times higher than the previous high.

Key Details

  • The 2022 World Cup in Qatar reached costs of $220 billion, making it the most expensive cup, with the second only reaching $15 billion for Brazil in 2014, according to Front Office Sports.
  • Tickets also reached the highest price, with fans paying around $340 per match, roughly 40% higher than in 2018.
  • Qatar had to build new stadiums for the cup, which accounts for some of the high costs, but most of the expenses were spent on building hotels, airports, and a metro system.
  • Not only did the World Cup cost billions to host, but it also brought much controversy and criticism over how the country did things.

Why it’s news

The 2022 World Cup has officially ended after nearly a month, beginning on November 20—with Argentina beating France in extra time.

The cup has broken records, including record attendance with nearly 96% occupancy with over 2.45 million fans for the first 48 group stage matches, marking the highest number since 1994.

Not only that, but the 2022 World Cup was also the most expensive in history, costing Qatar $220 billion to host. Some of the high costs can be attributed to building stadiums for the games, but most went to extended infrastructure.

Qatar built hotels, sophisticated underground transportation, stadiums, and airports to help fans get from one place to another easily. 

The country said the infrastructure was for the long term as the country aims to grow and use these things in the future, although many believe the buildings and trains will remain mostly unused after the games. 

Qatar spent around $220 billion on the Cup, hugely passing up any other match, making it the most expensive by a long shot.

The prices of previous Cups:

  • United States (1994): $500 million
  • France (1998): $2.3 billion
  • Japan (2002): $7 billion
  • Germany (2006): $4.3 billion
  • South Africa (2010): $3.6 billion
  • Brazil (2014): $15 billion
  • Russia (2018): $11.6 billion
  • Qatar (2022): $220 billion

Controversy

There has been controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup since it was announced it would be held in the middle eastern country of Qatar.

Many believed Qatar bribed FIFA to allow the cup to be held in the middle east with extensive checks. It was claimed that the country paid many people to host the games, but it was never announced it did any wrongdoings.

Other controversy loomed with labor concerns. According to the human-rights group Amnesty International, there are 1.7 million migrant workers in Qatar, accounting for over 90% of the workforce.

Many believed that workers were being mistreated and suffering in poor conditions to build the infrastructure needed for the cup, and many investigations were performed. 

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