You might think that you have got to grips with the geography of the World Cup. It is being hosted in the Middle East, 32 countries are playing, and an estimated half of the world's population will watch it, from almost every single city in the world. Simple.

But there is more to it than meets the eye. Beneath a sporting event as monumental as the World Cup is a network of different geographical factors.

Most people probably know where their favourite World Cup player is from. But do they know which country his football kit was made in? Where the footballs were imported from? Who built the stadium he is playing in?

Many geographers define their specialism as the study of "space" and "place". For sports geographers, "space" refers to the physical location where a sport is played - the texture of the ground, the climate, the gradient and more.

"Place" is more conceptual. For geographer Noel Castree, "place" is not just a point on the surface of the earth. It encompasses "the locusThe place where something happens or central area of interest. of individual and group identity", and the cultural and national clashes of identity between teams on one single pitch.¹

In some ways, this can be understood through the difference between physical geography - which looks at the natural world - and human geography, which focuses on human activity across the Earth as well as culture, politics, economics, populations, transport and more factors.

Physical geography is undoubtedly an essential lens for our understanding of international football. Seemingly unimportant factors such as wind speed and precipitationRain, snow, sleet, hail etc. could lend a competitive edge to players from countries with similar climate conditions.

It explains why this World Cup is unusually taking place in the northern hemisphere's winter months. A summer tournament in Qatar would be nearly impossible, when average temperatures reach 37C.

Temperatures in winter range from 21C to 26C, still far higher than players from Europe would be used to at this time of year. In addition, Qatar is 1,476 times smaller than Russia, the country that last hosted the World Cup. These factors, though they might seem subtle, will affect players' performance on the pitch.

But human geography shapes the game even more. Each country's relationship with football is shaped by macroeconomicThe branch of economics looking at the economy as a whole - such as taxes and government spending., cultural and political factors. There is often a positive correlation between factors like GDP per capita, life expectancy, living standards and carbon emissionsWhen a gas is let off from something, like a car, it is an emission. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming., and a country's football success.

This is why players from LEDCs (less economically developed countries) tend to leave their home to play for MEDCs (more economically developed countries). But interestingly, some countries, particularly those in South America, appear to buck this trend.²

The tournament has historically been dominated by two continents: Europe and South America. But the 2022 World Cup shows that the scene is already evolving, as new competitors come to the fore. Some experts claim that geography is key to predicting who will lead in the years to come.

Yes: We fail to appreciate that every factor that affects sport is defined by geography. Football is a global sport, played differently in every country - due to climate, culture, politics and more.

No: Geography is a really small factor in football. What matters more is individuals, such as once-in-a-generation talents, and the pure luck factor.

Or... Geography undoubtedly plays a key role, both when it comes to physical and human factors, but football will never be "about" geography, and we should not dismiss the achievements of individual teams as a mere product of their geographical location.