Qatar get 2022 World Cup

Qatar has won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating rivals Australia, the United States, South Korea and Japan.

The announcement was made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter following a secret ballot by the 22 members of the organisation’s executive committee in Zurich on Thursday.

It comes after weeks of last-minute lobbying and intense media speculation.

The Qatari bid was put in doubt by the threat of having a World Cup at an event so close to the equator, hence higher temperatures and increased humidity, but the young nation will be the focus of international football in eight years time.

The Middle East nation had their bid endorsed by none other than former France international Zinedine Zidane, who made headlines at the 2006 World Cup for head-butting an opponent in the final.