Countries upset that they are not hosting the 2018 (Russia) or 2022 World Cup (Qatar) are bellowing over a bevy of alleged and so far unproven shenanigans. The stubborn fact remains, however, that FIFA made the right move in having the World Cup in the Middle East. At a time of complicated, convoluted, and caustic geo-politics, the rest of the world needs to engage, not enrage, the Middle East.

Despite the hosting of an event in a place where the mercury hits 45 degrees Celsius (that is very HOT in Fahrenheit), bank on the 2022 World Cup being a month long lab in sustainability, clean energy, and green technology. To that end, more conferences and related events will be held in this tiny gulf emirate over the next several months--really, the next several years.

My guess is that sustainability and green building the way we know it will be unrecognizable in 10 years’ time. The Qatar World Cup may have something to do with it.

And the stadiums will be breathtaking!

Doha Port Stadium, to be a 2022 World Cup Venue

Doha Port Stadium, to be a 2022 World Cup Venue

About The Author

Leon Kaye

Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about corporate responsibility, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine. Leon works out of Fresno and Silicon Valley, California, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 60 countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.