After a four-year long wait, the controversial FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is finally here, but where’s the usual fever that grips the entire world ahead of the global sporting spectacle, where’s the Waka Waka feeling?Awarded to the oil and gas rich Middle Eastern nation under questionable circumstances in 2010, the 22nd edition of the quadrennial event has grappled with reputational challenges with claims of bribery and human rights abuses, taking away its shine off the pitch.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Hojdberg’s 95th minute volley sends Spurs to the knockout stage, Marseille are out of EuropeMohamed Bin Hammam, the former Asian Football Confederation, AFC president is alleged to have made payments totaling $5 million to football officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid. There were further reports that FIFA would receive $880 million in two installment payments from Al Jazeera pending a successful bid. In 2021, Guardian analysis shockingly revealed that more than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago. “The total death toll is significantly higher, as these figures do not include deaths from a number of countries which send large numbers of workers to Qatar, including the Philippines and Kenya. Deaths that occurred in the final months of 2020 are also not included.”These factors, coupled with the prevailing tough economic times and the fact that the World Cup will, for the first time, be happening in December, when most of the world sporting engagements, including major football leagues are still active, has seen the Qatar meet literally gasp for attention.”The feeling is calm, despite Ghana’s qualification,” Ghanaian journalist, Gideon Fiifi Nyamekye of Kickgh.com, told Mozzart Sport. “There’s nothing like Ghanaians are excited to watch the Black Stars compete in Qatar unlike the previous World Cup editions especially in South Africa where every citizen was behind them.””Ghanaians feel that the team led by Otto Addo isn’t strong enough to compete in the tournament, and also the recent economic crisis in Ghana is also a factor which is affecting the buzzing around the World Cup with just a few days to its commencement. The atmosphere in Ghana isn’t noisy like in 2006, 2010 and 2014,” ##NAJAVA_MECA_6778848##Souhail Khamira, a Tunisian freelancer with the BBC thinks that the World Cup’s location is not conducive as Qatar is an expensive country, out of reach for ordinary traveling fans.”It’s not great, usually people are very excited about it (the World Cup), but is it the location? Qatar is a very expensive country and a lot of Tunisians making the journey there find it pricey. Another issue is that Tunisia is currently in an economical and political crisis, so a lot of people are in the mood of, ‘football is the last thing on my mind.'”The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia alongside Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and Morocco will be flying the African flag in Qatar.East Africa has never produced a team to the World Cup, but countries like Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have always been part of the extravaganza. For the longest time, Kenyan fans have aligned with either Nigeria, Cameroon and most recently Ghana at the global showpiece. But with the English Premier League, the most followed European league in the region, still on, and the fact that Arsenal FC, arguably one of the most supported clubs in Africa, is topping the table, the Qatar World Cup is the least Ugandans have been thinking of.”The talk of town in Uganda is about the Premier League and the fact that Arsenal have had a strong start to the season. Basically, being that the major football leagues are yet to conclude has taken the focus away from the World Cup in Qatar, and you can’t feel the usual excitement. Maybe things will change after the leagues are paused, but it is a bad signal to world football,” said Adong Sarah, a journalist with Vision Group, Uganda.Yet, in Senegal, where the Teranga Lions led by Bayern Munich forward and the reigning African footballer of year Sadio Mané will be making a third appearance at the World Cup, the mood is upbeat, according to Madi Number, a fan.”Senegalese are waiting for the World Cup with a lot of interest. The ministry of sports and the federation have already published a list of 200 fans who will travel to Qatar to support the Lions.”Welcome to the World Cup month 🇶🇦🏟 #Qatar2022 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HYljl4Vl1Q— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) November 1, 2022 Senegal winning the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON for the first time in 2021 has brought a lot of thrill in the country. The domestic leagues have witnessed a growing number of supporters attending matches in the stadiums, with clubs like Jaraaf De Dakar and Teungueth FC moving the numbers.”Already with the start of the L1 and L2 championship, the stadium is as full as ever. The selection of supporters who will accompany the Lions to Qatar has been made with rigor, the country is only waiting for the start to vibrate and push its team to the final victory, which would be exceptional for all of Africa.”Renowned Zambian football blogger Punchelero Chama is reading an upbeat mood in Zambia ahead of World Cup kick-off on November 20 despite a divided attention. “There’s a serious hype and build-up for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, but the fact that the Premier League is still on and that Zambia has a number of football related events like the domestic leagues, CAF Women’s Champions League and the U23 AFCON qualifiers they’re focusing on has taken some attention away from the World Cup.”Usually the World Cup period brings with it better business tidings. In Kenya, for example, the sale of merchandise such as replica jerseys of the World Cup bound teams booms during this time, but this year is different.”To be honest, business is low, people are not spending on the World Cup jerseys like in the past, if you’re a trader and you invest heavily in the trade I’m sure it’s going to be a big loss for you. The interest in the game has gone down, especially with the squabbles in the Kenyan football,” Imani Wears proprietor Charlie Blackman said.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Atletico are out of Europe!For a year now, Kenyan football has been frozen by FIFA over third party interference, this has further diminished the interest in the game among fans. Adong is hopeful that the World Cup kick-off will drastically shift attention to it as Premier League fans will follow their stars with their national teams.”I’m certain Arsenal fans will be keen to follow Ghana to see how Thomas Partey will be performing, if he can replicate his current fine form at the Black Stars.”
