How the Qatari chaos has unfolded
THE BIDDING PROCESS BEGINS
March 2009: Fifa open the bidding process to host the World Cup in 2022. Qatar are among five potential host nations
BLATTER BACKS QATAR CAUSE
April 2010: Sepp Blatter says: “The Arabic world deserves a World Cup. They have 22 countries and have not had any opportunity to organise the tournament.”
FIFA INSPECTORS EXPRESS CONCERN
September 2010: Fifa inspection committee visits Qatar, brands it “high risk” to host World Cup due to extreme heat in the summer and poor infrastructure
QATAR NAMED WORLD CUP HOSTS
December 2010: Qatar named host nation of the 2022 World Cup by Fifa, beating United States 14-8 in final round of voting
PAIR SUSPENDED FROM FIFA
May 2011: Mohammed bin Hammam and Jack Warner are suspended by Fifa following allegations of corruption, while two other confederation presidents are accused of taking cash for votes
LIFE BAN FOR BIN HAMMAM
December 2012: Bin Hammam resigns as Fifa executive committee member and is banned for life from all football administration by the ethics committee
WINTER WORLD CUP
August 2013: Blatter confirms the Fifa executive committee will meet to decide on which month the 2022 World Cup should be played. Announcement due following this summer’s tournament
AUSTRALIA ISSUE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
September 2013: Football Federation of Australia issues legal challenge to Fifa, in order to recoup $43m spent on its own bid after announcement World Cup is likely to be rescheduled to winter months
BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS MADE
June 2014: Allegations surface of widespread bribery to ensure Qatar won the vote. Calls for process to be revisited if true
ALTERNATIVE HOSTS
United States
■ Beaten in the final round of voting 14-8
Australia
■ Launched legal challenge after defeat
Japan
■ Co-hosted 2002 tournament with Korea
South Korea
■ No Asian country has hosted tournament twice
Mexico/Indonesia
■ Withdrew from process before evaluations