Qatar has been selected as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar has been selected as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar is to stage the 2022 World Cup, becoming the the first ever Muslim and Arab country to host the cup.

The dramatic announcement was made by FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Thursday night, after beating off bids from Japan/Korea, Australia and the USA.

Australia had been favourites, with concerns over hosting the event during the summer in Qatar. However the country has promised to build a number of air conditioned soccer stadiums.

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There was also disappointment for England after the 2018 World Cup went to Russia.

Earlier, Prince William, David Beckham and UK Prime Minister David Cameron had visited Zurich to try and persuade FIFA delegates to back the English bid, and many experts believed England would win the bid.