La Villa Hublot was the venue for the gatherings of guest in keeping with the World Cup's festive spirit. - HUBLOT
Despite numerous controversies the recently concluded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 proved to be a resounding success.
The final between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium has been acknowledged as a truly great showpiece, but even before Match 63 (the final), the month-long World Cup involving 32 teams was staged without any hiccups.
Hublot Ambassador Kylian Mbappé wearing the Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. - HUBLOTIndeed, it’s not mere hyperbole if we call the first ever World Cup in the Middle East the most controversial ever. A country with virtually no World Cup pedigree and the smallest country to host (about a million permanent population) led many to question the awarding of the tournament.
The World Cup is traditionally held every four years during the summer, when most of the European club leagues have ended. But to do so in Qatar would be madness because temperatures in the gulf nation will reach more than 50 degrees Celsius in July.
Hence the concession to hold the World Cup in November, which is winter in Qatar when daytime temperatures was far milder, around 24 degrees Celsius.
The European and South American stranglehold on football means that FIFA rarely allows a World Cup to be played outside these two continents. In recent memory, Japan and South Korea in 2002 and South Africa in 2010 were instances where despite misgivings from the football establishment,
these two tournaments were successful, not only from a football perspective but also from a cultural exposure standpoint.
Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup means so much to Arabs and Muslims because it is the first time the tournament is being held in a place that showcases their religion and culture, giving them the opportunity to build bridges of understanding with different cultures and break down long-held stereotypes.
(from left) Hublot ambassadors Usain Bolt, DJ Snake, Novak Djokovic and CEO Ricardo Guadalupe at the Hublot closing party FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. - HUBLOTAfter four years of waiting, the beautiful game did not disappoint! Hearing the stadiums roar and seeing fans from all over the world united by their love of football created an incredible feeling of community!
For many fans around the world who descended on Doha for the month-long football extravaganza, the desert city was a welcoming oasis inside and outside the stadia.
Social media feeds were full of celebrities posting photos of their time in Doha. Many of these stars were hosted by the official partners of the World Cup.
One prominent partner was Hublot, the tournament’s official timekeeper for the fourth consecutive time and a key FIFA sponsor for this year’s World Cup. The watchmaker has been a partner since South Africa in 2010.
All 64 matches were played under the watchful eyes of 129 official referees, who took to the field wearing the new Hublot Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 edition watches, an indispensable tool for the referees. Thanks to its even larger, newly improved high-definition screen and timeline function, this Gen3 smartwatch is Hublot’s most powerful Big Bang e yet.
Hublot Ambassador Kylian Mbappé was also the best striker of the tournament with eight goals to his name and was awarded the adidas Golden Boot. Prior to the competition, he took part in the Hublot Loves Football campaign, which paid tribute to 15 football icons with 15 unique designs created by Lebanese fashion designer, Mira Mikati.
The designs symbolise the watchmaking brand’s commitment to beauty, inclusivity, and unity.
The Hublot World Cup closing party at Zuma. - HUBLOT
Beyond the pitch, Hublot also embraced football’s famously festive spirit with a series of events attended by invited guests. These guests were able to soak up the atmosphere of the FIFA WorldCup in an immersive experience.
Hublot hosted several pre-game dinners and cocktails at its exclusive La Villa Hublot – a stunning beachfront property overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
Guests were entertained with food and drinks in a casual atmosphere just before being whisked off to the stadium to watch some key matches, also hosted by the watchmaker.
The brand rounded off its time in Qatar with a star-studded celebration attended by sprint king Usain Bolt, Tennis World No 1 Novak Djokovic, Mikati and former footballers like Rio Ferdinand, Christian Karembeu, David Trezeguet, Marcel Desailly, Clarence Seedorf and Samuel Eto’o and France manager Didier Deschamps.
The finale was hosted by its CEO Ricardo Guadalupe at probably the best nightspot in Doha – Zuma.
“This fourth Hublot partnership with the FIFA World Cup reaffirms the brand’s role as football’s preeminent timekeeper and preferred luxury watchmaker, beloved by players and fans alike.
“And that is why Hublot Loves Football”, Guadalupe said.
‘Hublot Loves Football’ has become the slogan at the world's biggest sporting events (such as the FIFA World Cup, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro Championship and through its ambassadors.
This love of football continues in art, design, music, sport, fine dining, and sailing, he added.
