The 2022 World Cup will set the Qatar government back by $221bn in development and infrastructure costs according to an analyst who does this for a living. Small change for the richest country in the world even as they stand to lose billions without recouping but a small fraction. FIFA by the way will have made out with its billions in TV and merchandising revenue with all its earnings non-taxable because of its non-profit status.

The Asian Cup begins in Qatar today providing a preview to the world's biggest dance in 2022.

Can the tiny, oil and gas rich country start turning around the skepticism that greeted it's shock selection? How about their national team - a usual joke even with its neighbours? Can Brian Metsu make them competitive?