The tournament in Qatar is not only the first of its kind in the Persian Gulf, but also offers fans and players numerous firsts. What began at the World Cup in Russia with the introduction of the electronic referee now finds its continuation. Whether and which teams will cope best with the conditions in Qatar is an open question, but experts see numerous teams as possible new world champions.

The circle of favorites is large

Rarely before a World Cup have there been so many favorites as this time. The experts give at least nine teams a good chance of coming out on top in the end. If you’re looking for a realistic assessment, you’ll usually find what you’re looking for at the bookmakers. They not only provide extensive coverage of major events, but also analyze every little detail of the tournament in advance. After all, a major event like the World Cup is one of the biggest revenue generators in the industry.

Therefore, the bookmakers attach particular importance to the analysis of the team, because hardly any other soccer event generates as much attention as a World Cup. This time, the experts in sports betting have ranked the team from Brazil right up front. Neymar’s colleagues have narrowly edged out the defending champions from France with odds of 6.0. Mbappé and Co. receive odds of 6.5, while Argentina comes in third with 7.5. Behind them are England, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal (as of Aug. 23, 2022). Given this crowded field of favorites, fans can expect an exciting tournament in Qatar. This will also please the sports betting industry, after all, soccer is the dominant sport there. More than half of all bets placed in Germany are on the round leather.

First time in the cool – Season

The tournament thrills spectators all over the world. That this continues to be the case is not only the wish of the organizers of the World Cup. They have come up with some innovations that will come into play in Qatar

Thus, this World Cup will be held for the first time in the cool – Season . This postponement was necessitated by the high temperatures that prevail in Qatar in the summer. Therefore, in order to spare the players physically, the organizers have decided to let the tournament take place from November 20 to December 18 inclusive. The average temperature in Qatar will then be around 26 degrees. In addition, the newly constructed stadiums have been equipped with cooling systems. This should enable an orderly process.

However, the shift to the fall has also brought major changes for the respective leagues. These will pause their game operations during the World Cup. The German Soccer League is also affected by this. This year, it will take a winter break that will last a total of two months. As a result, it has started earlier in the current – Season and will end later than usual. These changes were necessary to ensure that the World Cup can be held in the fall. However, the tournament itself also offers numerous innovations for footballers and fans.

Numerous innovations

FIFA officials recently announced that female referees will be used for the first time in Qatar. This is a deliberate move to set an example. The referees come from France, Rwanda and Japan. Stéphanie Frappart, Salima Mukansanga and Yoshimi Yamashita will referee some of the matches at this World Cup and thus finally herald equality on the green pitch. They recently gave an impressive demonstration of what women are capable of achieving in soccer at the European Women’s Soccer Championship in England.

But FIFA is also upgrading its technology in Qatar. After the successful premiere of the electronic video referee at the World Cup in Russia, the first appearance of a semi-automatic offside technology is now on the agenda. This has been sufficiently tested in recent months and is now to be used in Qatar. FIFA expects the system not only to provide greater precision in what are usually highly controversial decisions, but also to save a corresponding amount of time in the game. For this to work, sensors in the ball will be used, as will around a dozen cameras. In this way, the organizers hope to prevent heated discussions about offside in the future.

Fans can expect a concentrated load of soccer in Qatar. This is due not only to the massive appearance of the world’s best players, but also to the unusually short period in which the tournament will take place. Given the postponement to the fall, the organizers have been forced to put together a packed program. After all, all the matches are to be played in four weeks, instead of the usual six weeks. This means that, for the first time, fans will be able to witness four matches a day. This is the only way to ensure that the new soccer world champion can be crowned as scheduled in the final on December 18.

Public viewing in the snow?

For the players, this means even more stress and even fewer opportunities to regenerate. But the unusual setting could also prove to be an advantage for the sport. After all, the stars will arrive at the tournament reasonably rested and in top form. Until now, the World Cup has always taken place at the end of a long and exhausting – Season . The players had to postpone their vacations in order to perform at their best for another maximum of six weeks. But that didn’t always work out, and the level suffered under the strain. This could now be different for the first time.

Qatar is getting ready for the major soccer event.

For fans in Germany, this World Cup represents a challenge of a special kind. For the first time, they will have to do without their usual public viewing under a glaring sun. But watching soccer together in the snow could prove to be a welcome change. Change can also boost motivation in sports. Whether the numerous innovations will be a success or not will soon be seen.