Leaked photos emerge of audacious Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy | OneFootball

Qatar has been granted permission to commemorate its controversial hosting of the 2022 World Cup with a special one-off trophy celebrating the country’s lucrative oil export industry.

Photos taken at FIFA’s headquarters in Zürich have leaked online and world football’s governing body has subsequently confirmed it is currently deciding between two remarkable design ideas for the trophy, which will take the place of the iconic gold FIFA World Cup Trophy – in use since 1974 – for the 2022 tournament only.

The first design being considered features a globe with an oil spring bursting out of it, while the second depicts the traditional trophy wrapped in a petrol pump.

The news comes as another huge blow to the integrity of the World Cup, which has been mired in controversy ever since it was announced in 2010 that Qatar would be following Russia in hosting the tournament.

FIFA are still investigating allegations of bribery and corruption surrounding the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup – which is scheduled to take place in November and December 2022 due to the fact Qatar’s searingly hot climate would make playing in June and July almost impossible.

Another major concern is Qatar’s place on Amnesty International’s watchlist due to allegations of human rights violations relating to the treatment of foreign workers involved in the nation’s preparations for what will be the first World Cup to take place in the Middle East.

Regarding the plans for a bespoke Qatar 2022 trophy, a source close to FIFA said: “We understand that this idea might not be a very popular one, but Qatar made us an offer that was simply too good to refuse.

“People may find the new trophy strange at first but they’ll get used to it eventually, and there are actually plans for themed-trophies to become a feature of all future World Cups.

“In fact, Morocco have already submitted an image of the World Cup wearing a fez as part of their bid for the 2026 tournament, while President Donald Trump has some very interesting ideas for how the US’s trophy might look.”

Qatar has the third largest proven natural gas reserve and is the second largest exporter of natural gas in the world. Petroleum and natural gas account for more than 70% of the nation’s total government revenue, more than 60% of gross domestic product, and roughly 85% of export earnings.