World Cup 2022: Qatar To Host the 22nd World Cup After Beating Out the U.S.

FIFA's executive committee has announced the winners of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids and they are shocking to say the least.

Russia beat out several European nations for the 2018 Cup. But even more unusual was the committee's selection for the 2022 Cup.

Despite a strong effort from the United States, the tiny Middle Eastern nation of Qatar won the bid to host the 22nd World Cup.

In celebration of Qatar's first ever World Cup, we take a look at how other first time continental hosts have fared at the FIFA World Cup.

1930 Uruguay

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PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 10: Diego Forlan of Uruguay in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Third Place Play-off match between Uruguay and Germany at The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 10, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Afric

Uruguay hosted the first ever World Cup in 1930. Along with becoming the first nation to host the tournament, Uruguay was the first South American country to have the honor.

Uruguay played well as the host nation, winning the cup 4-2 over Argentina. Uruguay is still one of only three nations to have won the Cup as the host nation, the other two were Italy (1934), and West Germany (1974).

Uruguay has not hosted nor won the Cup since 1930.

1934 Italy

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 14: The Italy team sing the national anthem prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Green Point Stadium on June 14, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Lars Baron/Get

In 1934, Italy became the first European nation to host the World Cup and just the second in history.

The Italians followed in Uruguay's footsteps in the previous Cup by winning as the host nation. Italy defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time.

Italy hosted again in 1990, finishing in third place. The Italians won the Cup again in 1938, 1982 and, most recently, in 2006 in Germany.

1970 Mexico

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 11: A fan of the Mexican team waves a flag before the start of the game between Mexico and the U.S. Men's National Team for their FIFA World Cup qualifying match on February 11, 2009 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (P

Mexico became the first North American nation to host the World Cup in 1970, beating out the United States which hosted its only World Cup in 1994.

However Mexico wouldn't be as lucky as Uruguay and Italy, the host nation bowed out to eventual tournament runner-up Italy in the quarterfinals, 4-1, after leading 1-0.

Mexico hosted again 16 years later in 1986 but has never won the World Cup.

2002 South Korea & Japan

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SAITAMA, JAPAN - JUNE 19: A fan shows his support for Japan's national team as he watches a live broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group E match between the Netherlands and Japan during a public viewing event at Saitama Super Arena on Jun

The World Cup finally kicked off in Asia in 2002 when South Korea and Japan won a shared bid to host the 17th edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Both South Korea and Japan became the first Asian nations in history to host the event. South Korea had a strong showing and rode the buzz of the country to a fourth place finish, losing 3-2 to third place Turkey.

Brazil would go on to win the Cup defeating Germany 2-0, but South Korea's fourth place finish is still the highest by an Asian nation in World Cup history.

Since then, no other Asian nations have hosted the FIFA World Cup.

2010 South Africa

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: Football fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Clive Mason/

This past summer the World Cup finally landed on African soil when the often overlooked nation of South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup.

The African nation did well in representing the continent even though they failed to get past the group stages.

Still though the tournament was a success for African soccer which has never placed at a World Cup. No African nation has ever made it past the quarterfinals in the history of the event.

Spain would go on to defeat the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time to claim the first Cup on the continent of Africa.

2022 Qatar

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ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 02: HE Sheikh Mohammes bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Chairman of the Qatar bid holds the World Cup after winning the right to host the 2022 World Cup during the FIFA World Cup 2018 & 2022 Host Announcement on December 2, 2010 in Z

After FIFA's recent announcement, the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar will become the first of its kind to host the world's game.

With a population roughly the amount of Houston, Texas, the country about the size of Connecticut with 130 degree summers was a long shot for the bid, but they have won and now it's theirs.

See you in 12 years, Qatar.