Qatar is hosting the 22nd FIFA World Cup, from November 20 to December 18, 2022. For this tournament, 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four, for a total of 64 games.

• For the first time ever, the World Cup will be played in an Arab country.
• Qatar’s infrastructural development since 2010 makes this World Cup the most expensive.
• This is the first World Cup ever played in November and December — to avoid Qatar’s desert heat.
• For the first time at the men’s World Cup, three women have been included among the 36 referees selected for FIFA World Cup 2022.

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, has affirmed a joint programme in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through several areas of cooperation.

With tempting deals from airlines and hotels, the Sultanate of Oman hopes to make Muscat one of the top travel destinations for soccer lovers from across the world.

SU Graduates attends World Cup 2022

Sohar University aims at establishing a sustainable relationship between the University and its graduates and appreciating “the role of graduates in building the society and making the bright future of Oman”. Keeping this in view Sohar University has organized a trip to Qatar to attend a match in the first round of the World Cup. The trip which includes a number of graduates comes as part of an initiative launched by the Alumni Relations Office to enhance communication between the University and its graduates.

About the Trip

• The flight departed on Tuesday morning from Muscat International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha.
• The graduates attended the Qatari national team match with the Netherlands national team at the end of the first-round matches. The match was held at Al Bayt Stadium at 7 pm.
• The graduates also visited a number of World Cup facilities and events, in addition to some tourist areas.

Goals of the Trip

Football has the unique ability to unite individuals of all backgrounds and socio-economic status. People from all over the world who share the same passion gather in one country. It is a feeling of constant joy. Watching live football in stadium is a completely different and a beautiful experience.

This visit aims to

• Enable the graduates to participate in global gatherings.
• To keep the University in constant connection with its graduates in a variety of ways that correspond to diverse global and regional changes.
• Facilitate discussion and debate about the gameplay. Graduates will be able to express their thoughts and give justifications for their points of view.
• Enhance their confidence by commenting and expressing their ideas in this context.
• Football enhances the mood. Being a member of a team and having a network increases happiness.
• The institution is always keen to provide its graduates amazing experiences, and the World Cup is a perfect opportunity for our graduates to be present at this international event, especially because the whole world will be at one place. This event offers unique access to World Cup facilities and information.

Graduate Experience

Graduate Yousef Al Balushi, one of the participants in the trip, said “I am happy with this participation in this global phenomenon. Attending the World Cup events is considered a dream for many people, so I thank my University for this distinguished initiative of its graduates, and I highly appreciate that. It was truly a beautiful experience that will remain among the beautiful memories in my life.

Graduate Hazzaa Al-Esayi also expressed his happiness at participating in the World Cup trip. He said, “I thank Sohar University for continuing to follow up on the graduates, and for always involving them in local and international events and forums”.