Germany came out of its shell, South Africa exceeded expectations and Russia changed negative perceptions when they all hosted the World Cup. Now it’s the turn of Qatar to show the world what it is capable of. For sure, it will be an event like no other.
The first Arab country to host the event are planning eight new stadiums for the tournament, with one completed, two more due this year and the rest scheduled to be finished by 2021. None is more than 35km from the centre of the capital Doha and all serviced by a brand new metro system.
Furious construction is visible everywhere in Qatar with gleaming new stadiums and infrastructure projects in full swing.
“We are ready based on the path we have set,” said Hassan al-Thawadi, the secretary-general of the Qatar 2022 organising committee (SC), in Moscow with a delegation of more than 100 officials shadowing the Russians.
FIFA have confirmed that the tournament will be hosted from November 21-December 18, 2022, but whether it will be a 32-team event or expand to 48 remains to be decided.
“It will be a common decision taken between FIFA and Qatar and we are now studying the feasibility of expanding it to a 48-team World Cup. However, all preparations are on the basis of 32 teams,” al-Thawadi added.
Changing the timing of the tournament will disrupt major league seasons and has set FIFA on a collision course with the powerful European clubs but Qatar argues that it could lead to more exciting football. “Players will be mid-season, not at the end of their seasons, at a time when they can be at their peak of their performance levels,” al-Thawadi said.
Qatar is also expected to relax certain laws for visiting fans to ensure they replicate the party atmosphere of past tournaments.
“We are well aware of the wonderful opportunity the World Cup presents to change opinions and deflect stereotypes. We will be a welcoming nation,” al-Thawadi added.
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