[imagesource: YouTube / The Guardian]

The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Sunday in Qatar and wow, has the build-up been underwhelming.

Before the Qatar and Ecuador match starts at 6PM our time, be sure to watch FIFA Uncovered on Netflix to better understand how the host country bribed its way to hosting the tournament.

We bribed our way to hosting the 2010 World Cup, too, but at least our beers were cheap, whereas you’re paying around R250 for an ale in Qatar.

The tournament build-up has been dominated by talk of the host country’s appalling human rights record, and Qatari authorities haven’t done themselves any favours with an incident yesterday, reports Reuters:

TV2 reporter Rasmus Tantholdt was speaking as part of a live broadcast when he was approached by security staff that had appeared on a golf buggy next to the newly-opened Chedi Hotel at Katara Cultural Village.

In the footage, which went viral on social media, Tantholdt is seen remonstrating with the security officials, displaying his accreditation before accusing them of declaring they want to break the camera equipment.

In short, this is not a good look:

Officials have since apologised to the film crew, saying they were “mistakenly interrupted” and had presented valid tournament accreditation and a filming permit.

Just days out from the tournament, and that frenetic World Cup energy is very much in short supply, especially at the FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha.

Here’s The Guardian:

At a media showcase hours before a Michael Jackson tribute act launched a test event to iron out any late teething problems, it mostly resembled a giant concrete car park with overpriced food (a tiny Greek salad cost £10, a slice of pepperoni pizza £8) and little escape from the 32C heat.

Fans did stream in later – mostly locals, according to the report – but the comparisons with another expensive flop are everywhere:

The fan village for the World Cup in Qatar is basically just Fyre Festival 2.0 pic.twitter.com/Yk9ujTtlaG

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 16, 2022

You’ve seen the Fyre Fest sandwich, now feast your eyes on the World Cup salad:

Greek salad at the Qatar World Cup fan zone

🇶🇦 38 Rial (£9) pic.twitter.com/K5taOhM9Q3

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) November 16, 2022

Did somebody bribe the salad to say it was Greek?

[sources:reuters&guardian]