RESUMEN

This study presents a temporal evaluation of the tropospheric NO2 column densities over Greater Doha using TROPOMI satellite data from May 2018 to December 2023, and an assessment of the impact of the preparations and hosting of the FIFA Football World Cup Qatar 2022, on NO2 levels before, during and after the tournament over Greater Doha. Analysis of annual NO2 levels from 2019 to 2023 showed an increase in 2022 compared to that of the previous three years and a clear decrease in 2023 post the completion of the world cup preparations and hosting. Results also showed an increase in NO2 levels during winter compared to that in summer, with wind speed being an important determining factor. Findings showed that Fridays and Saturdays (both constitute the local weekend in Qatar) were 44% and 13% lower than that of the averaged weekdays, respectively. The annual NO2 levels in the post-world cup year of 2023 were found to be 24% lower than that in 2022 and around 16% lower than that of the previous years. NO2 levels during the World Cup tournament (20 Nov to Dec 18, 2022) were found to be higher than that of the same corresponding periods in all other available years including an increase of 27% compared to that in 2023. Wind speed played an important role in determining the NO2 levels during the world cup period and accounted for >96% of their daily variability, indicating that meteorological factors substantially influenced the NO2 column during the event.