The World Cup in Qatar is about to start. Just a few days remain for 32 countries to compete for the precious honor of being the best with the ball. Among them, the Spanish team, which will debut next Wednesday, November 23 with a match against Costa Rica. The 26 players, led by Luis Enrique, will defend the shirt worn by the star won in South Africa 2010, and will try to get a second badge for Spain.
Qatar is known for its spectacular skyscrapers, huge shopping malls, cutting-edge architecture, and super-luxury hotels. Everything is big. Opulence and lavishness would be two words that would perfectly describe this small country.
And, contrary to what we might think, in this case, the Spanish team has put luxury aside to stay in a much simpler place (although with all kinds of comforts) but more suitable for achieving their goals. The base camp will be the University of Qatar, in Doha. A space that will share with the Argentine team, although there is no problem because the space is enough to house the two teams in its more than 25,000 square meters.
The university is located in the Al Dafna district, approximately 16 kilometers from the center of Doha, and is the main institution of higher education in the city. It houses ten faculties with 48 degrees and 9 doctorates, and it is estimated that more than 1,500 students study there and some 800 teachers work.
The complex has everything necessary for the team to train: 30 adaptable sports fields, two Olympic swimming pools, a gym with sauna and Jacuzzi areas, rehabilitation areas, hydromassage; technical and meeting rooms; two soccer fields with artificial lighting, which will allow training at night with better temperatures, and a soccer stadium with a capacity for up to 10,000 spectators. Yes, the rooms may be a little modest, but it’s worth it.
