One of the biggest sporting events in the world kicked off yesterday.

The World Cup.

There's been a lot of chatter leading up to this tournament.

But unlike in previous years, the spotlight hasn't been on the national rivalries or who's

going to be the star player.

It's about who's hosting it, Qatar.

The most surprising thing about this year's World Cup is that it's happening in Qatar

at all.

That's our colleague, Joshua Robinson, who covers European sports.

There's never been a World Cup like this before.

From the controversy that circled around Qatar for the past 12 years to the very fact that

Qatar is a country roughly the size of Connecticut hosting the world's largest sporting event, even

the Qatari soccer team has never been to a World Cup before.

When Qatar first won its bid to host the event, which brings in millions of visitors from

around the world, it didn't have nearly enough stadiums or hotels.

And on top of that, the country is ruled by an authoritarian regime that outlaws homosexuality

and tightly regulates alcohol.

So in a tournament that's supposed to be all about the sport, the location is threatening

to overshadow everything else.

Welcome to the journal, our show about money, business, and power.

I'm Ryan Knutson, it's Monday, November 21st.

Coming up on the show, the unlikely story of Qatar's path to this year's World Cup.

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