After Qatar was awarded the contract to host the 2022 World Cup on December 2, 2010, the small country sent great pictures out into the world.

The aerial view of the Doha Port Stadium looked particularly impressive after dark.

It was meant to be played on an artificial island in Doha Harbour, surrounded by bright blue sea water and glittering lights.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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This is how Qatar wanted and wants to present itself.

The viewers should see perfect pictures.

Qatar planned a total of 13 futuristic stadiums.

13 World Cup stadiums for a state that is about half the size of Hesse?

What megalomania!

Even the world governing body FIFA thought so, and they like to think big.

It is now played in eight arenas.

When looking at the official information shortly before the start of the tournament, it became apparent that Qatar can obviously build on the pitch.

The specified capacities: 80,000, 60,000 and six stadiums with exactly 40,000 seats.

But even in the opening game, the common observer was taken aback – not only because many Qatar fans fled very early on because of their team's poor performance.

Officially, a viewership of 67,372 was given.

In a stadium that officially only fits 60,000.

A fairy tale from the Arabian Nights?

Did someone overdo it a little with whitewashing?

The strange game repeated itself.

The 40,000-seat stadiums should have been bursting at the seams if FIFA's official announcement during the games was to be believed.

The FAZ wanted to take a look behind the stadium facade and asked FIFA.

The answer: The round number of seats is only the capacity to meet FIFA requirements.

The final indication for the tournament can only be made once all the facilities have been completed.

It was only on the third day of the World Cup.

And as if by magic, the number of places available increased by a staggering 46,231.

That's almost a ninth stadium compared to before.

Except it's not one in the port of Doha.

Just like back then - at the beginning of the illusion theater from the glossy brochure from 2010.