Why did ex-Newcastle United player Jermaine Jenas host the draw for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

It’s the question every football fan is asking this evening - why was Jermain Jenas selected to host the live draw for 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar?

An undoubtedly talented footballer in his day but 39 year-old Jenas is virtually unknown to football fans outside of the UK and Ireland.

Who is Jermain Jenas?

Jenas is originally from Nottingham and in 2001, when he was only 17, he signed a professional contract with Nottingham Forrest with whom he made 29 appearances, scoring four goals along the way.

One year later Jenas signed for Newcastle United for £5m and would go on to make 110 appearances for the Magpies, scoring nine goals.

In 2003, Jenas made his first of 21 international appearances for England and he was also named PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2002–03 season.

Jenas joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2005 where he remained until 2013.

During his time with Spurs, Jenas spent spells on loan to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forrest before finishing his professional career with QPR where he made 38 appearances.

Why did Jermaine Jenas host the World Cup draw?

Jenas announced his retirement from professional football in 2016 when he was still in his early 30s.

Since that time he has carved out a successful career working as a television presenter and football pundit.

After rewould go on to present a documentary on knife crime in Nottingham for BBC.

In 2020, Jenas started presenting BBC1 evening lifestyle programme, The One Show, and in 2021 he became of the show’s main hosts.

It was because of his experience working in the media that he was selected as the host for the draw.

How did fans react?

To say fans were surprised to see Jermaine Jenas hosting the draw would be an understatement.

Specsavers tweeted from its official Twitter account: “*furiously cleans glasses* Oh it actually is Jermaine Jenas hosting the #WorldCupDraw”.

“To be fair Jermaine Jenas was a colossus of World Cup and international football with 21 caps and 1 goal for England,” said journalist, Rob Burley.

Fans also surmised Jenas must be paying his agent a small fortune to secure hosting the draw in Qatar.

“I don’t know who’s more surprised that Jermaine Jenas has got this World Cup presenting gig, me or Jermaine Jenas,” joked a fan on Twitter.

Sport and gaming journalist, Tom Young, joked that Jenas’ agents was so good that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the former Newcastle United player unveiled as a the next James Bond.

Which group is England in and who will their opponents be?

England were drawn in Group B and will face Iran, USA and the winners of Wales v the winners of Scotland v Ukraine.

When is the World Cup 2022 in Qatar taking place?

For the first time in the history of the Fifa World Cup the finals will take place between November 21, 2022 and December 18, 2022.

Who are the current world champions?

France. They beat Croatia in the final in Moscow 4-2.