How did Qatar prepare for the World Cup?

For the first time in the history of World Cups, a country of 3 million people (of which only 300,000 are Qataris, the rest are expatriates) spent $220 billion to build an entertainment industry and infrastructure, hosting 1.5 million athletes and fans.

In 2010, Qatar was ranked 50th in the world soccer rankings and became the first Middle Eastern country to qualify for the World Cup. Over the past 12 years, seven soccer fields have been built, one soccer field has been overhauled, three subway lines and a new international airport have been built. It has also opened fashion houses, restaurants, and five modern and huge museums.

The center and suburbs of Doha, Qatar's capital, are home to some of the best names in contemporary public art. Championship guests are housed in 130,000 hotel rooms, including cabins on cruise ships and desert tents. For fans who prefer to stay in Dubai, there are 16 flights a day between Doha and Dubai. During the championship, offices have gone online and schools have declared a recess.