<P> The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid was a bid by Qatar to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup . The bid has come under FBI investigation for bribery and corruption, leading to the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter . With a population of 2 million people, Qatar will be the first Arab state to host the World Cup . Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al - Thani, son of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani the then Emir of Qatar, was the chairman of the bid committee . Qatar promoted their hosting of the tournament as representing the Arab World, and has drawn support from across the member states of the Arab League . They also positioned their bid as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab World and the West . </P> <P> On 17 Nov 2010 Qatar hosted a friendly match between Brazil and Argentina . This was one of 47 international exhibition games held throughout the world on this day . </P> <P> President of FIFA Sepp Blatter endorsed the idea of having a World Cup in the Arab World, saying in April 2010: "The Arabic world deserves a World Cup . They have 22 countries and have not had any opportunity to organize the tournament". Blatter also praised Qatar's progress: "When I was first in Qatar there were 400,000 people here and now there are 1.6 million . In terms of infrastructure, when you are able to organise the Asian Games (in 2006) with more than 30 events for men and women, then that is not in question". On 2 December 2010, it was announced that Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup . </P> <P> Working against the Qatar bid was the extreme temperature in the desert country . The World Cup always takes place during the European off - season in June and July . During this period the average daytime high in most of Qatar exceeds 50 ° C (120 ° F), the average daily low temperatures not dropping below 30 ° C (86 ° F). In response to this issue, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al - Thani, the 2022 Qatar bid chairman, has stated, "the event has to be organized in June or July . We will have to take the help of technology to counter the harsh weather . We have already set in motion the process . A stadium with controlled temperature is the answer to the problem . We have other plans up our sleeves as well". </P>

When was qatar chosen for the world cup