The men’s FIFA World Cup 2022 brought with it not just an exciting series of matches, but also a unique opportunity for primary school assemblies and classroom discussions. This year’s event provided a wealth of learning opportunities as children across schools took part in conversations about global cultures, geography, equality, and world issues—all through the lens of a world-renowned football tournament. Introducing This Week’s News: The FIFA World Cup 2022 The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off in Qatar and will run from 21st November to 18th December. This tournament marks the 22nd edition of the competition and is the first time it has been held in the Arab world. Across eight venues in Qatar, 64 matches will be played, drawing in an estimated 1.5 million fans. Traditionally a summer event, the tournament was moved to the cooler months of November and December due to extreme summer temperatures in Qatar—though daytime temperatures still reach around 25°C. The decision to host the event in Qatar has not been without controversy. Criticism has focused particularly on concerns about the treatment of migrant workers involved in preparing the country for the tournament. World Cup Facts: Football, Fans, and Venues The official ball for this year’s tournament is called Al Rihla, meaning ‘the journey’ in Arabic. Created by Adidas, Al Rihla features a design inspired by Qatari heritage and culture. Furthermore, the ball is noted as the most environmentally-friendly ever produced for a World Cup, using only water-based inks and glues, and featuring eye-catching colored lines. Qatar’s limited hotel availability presented unique challenges. To accommodate visiting fans, the country leased two cruise liners to serve as floating hotels, offering 4,000 additional cabins. The proximity of stadiums is another notable feature, with the longest distance between venues just 46 miles and the shortest only 3.1 miles—making travel between matches highly convenient. Tickets for matches sold out rapidly, with buyers from Qatar, the USA, Saudi Arabia, England, and Mexico leading the demand. What We Learn About Qatar Qatar is located in Western Asia, on a small peninsula surrounded almost entirely by water. The country experiences a dry desert climate. Summer temperatures can soar above 50°C, so winter daytime averages of 20°C-35°C offer a more suitable climate for hosting international visitors. Home to around three million people, the nation speaks Arabic and follows Islamic customs. Traditional attire includes abayas for women and thobes for men, and visitors are encouraged to respect local customs by dressing modestly. Street Child United and the Street Child World Cup Alongside the main event, Street Child United (SCU) hosts the Street Child World Cup—a tournament highlighting the voices and challenges of street-connected children worldwide. Held ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, its fourth edition took place in Doha in October, with 28 teams from 24 countries participating. This event fosters creativity, international friendships, and advocacy for children’s core demands, including identity, protection from violence, gender equality, and access to education. Through football and arts, the SCU gives children from vulnerable backgrounds a platform to have their voices heard. Reflecting on Feelings and Values Events like the World Cup are a celebration of sport, but they also stir up a range of emotions. In discussing the tournament, students were encouraged to explore words and expressions for feelings such as excitement, anxiety, joy, and concern. These discussions help children recognize different emotional responses to world events and build empathy towards others. Opportunities for Classroom Discussion The World Cup’s global reach gives students a chance to engage with several key questions and activities: Identifying Qatar and other countries on the world map. Exploring cultural similarities and differences. Discussing the importance of equality and opportunities for all children. Considering how events like the Street Child World Cup can raise awareness. Reflecting on how access to basic services like education and healthcare varies around the world. Designing a football that represents values such as unity and equality. Learning Through Sport Sport can teach us about much more than physical fitness. Through international events, students can explore the importance of culture, respect, resilience, and teamwork. Stories such as that of Drika, a participant in the Street Child World Cup who found empowerment and opportunities through football, are especially impactful, showing first-hand how sport can change lives. Discussion Prompts for Home and School Here are some prompts to inspire further discussion: Why do you think so many people watch the World Cup? What are some positive outcomes from hosting such a global event? How is life in Qatar similar or different to your own? What actions can individuals or communities take to respect other cultures? How can sports events give a spotlight to important social issues? Vocabulary for the Week Several key terms from this week’s story can help students build their understanding of both language and context: Criticised: Expressed disapproval of something or someone. Culture: The way of life, customs, and beliefs of a particular group. Edition: One of a series of repeated events. Extreme: Reaching a very high degree. Spotlight: Receiving a lot of public attention. Venue: The place where an organised event takes place. Continue Your Learning This year’s World Cup has sparked countless questions and activities in assemblies and classrooms everywhere. From designing footballs with a message, to considering the many different cultures in our world, the tournament’s influence stretches well beyond the pitch. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
