A wide array of World Cup peripherals caught the eye at the traditional market in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 13. icphoto captured the scene.
In 2022, Qatar ushered in a soccer feast - the World Cup. The tournament, which brings together 32 elite teams, not only focuses on the competition on the green field, but also triggers the public's passionate discussion on everything from team lineups, mascots, theme songs to the mysterious "Predictor".
competitor's team
The end of the "World Cup 32" and the beginning of the era of the Top 48
Recall that on January 10, 2017, FIFA ordered that the number of World Cup teams from 2026 onwards would surge to 48 teams. Although this "early expansion" decision had sparked controversy within FIFA, after in-depth discussions with host Qatar, in May 2019, FIFA officially announced that the World Cup will have 48 teams.
This means that the "World Cup 32" format will come to an end in Qatar. From 32 to 48, behind the change in numbers is FIFA's commitment to the duration of the tournament and the depth of rest for the participating teams: the tournament will be maintained at 32 days in length to ensure that each team has enough rest and the teams that reach the finals will only have to participate in a maximum of seven games. 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the round of 32.
Looking back at history, since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, the size of the teams has undergone many changes. From the first 13 teams to the current 48, the size of the World Cup has been constantly expanding. 1950, the World Cup for the first time 16 teams; in 1982, the World Cup in Spain increased the number of teams to 24; in 1998, the World Cup in France increased the number of teams to 32, and since then the World Cup has maintained this size for the next six World Cups. 2026, the United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 23rd World Cup, where the 48-team field will make its debut. In 2026, the United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 23rd World Cup, when the 48-team lineup will make its debut.
theme song
Romantic Italy gives Qatar a mysterious gift, and the unofficial theme song, Cup of Life, takes the world by storm!
In the hearts of fans, every World Cup has a song that accompanies those unforgettable moments. And this time, the Qatar World Cup seems to have an "unofficial theme song" - the Cup of Life.
Qatar, a small country in the Middle East, is welcoming the world in its own unique way.
