The men’s soccer world championship ended with one of the most thrilling finals in its 92-year history. It was a night of heart-stopping drama, and then some, ultimately ending with Argentina as the world champions. For Qatar, a gas-rich gulf nation with big ambitions and little in the way of a soccer tradition, it was a star-studded coming-out party and one that marked its entrance on the world stage by showing off its political and sporting event prowess.


Qatar spent some $220 billion over 12 years getting ready to host the championships. It built seven of the most expensive stadiums for use during the event and spent an additional $6.5 billion on infrastructure improvements throughout Doha, Qatar’s capital city. Qatar, which has never hosted the World Cup before, has a surplus of expensive stadiums on its hands. (more…)