The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) said that the main goal of organizing the World Cup was to present a real image of Qatari culture and traditions that changes the stereotypical view of the Arab world.
This came in a panel discussion hosted by the SC on Monday.
SC Communications Director Fatma al-Nuaimi said that the committee is looking to host an exceptional World Cup edition that serves the State of Qatar and its citizens, in addition to serving the Arab region and the world. She added that hosting the World Cup means more to Qatar than building stadiums, as it will help leave a legacy for the country and the Arab world. She added that the designs of the stadiums reflected different aspects of Qatari heritage and culture.
She highlighted that the committee also thought about the legacy it will leave for the world, as some stadiums will be dismantled and donated to poor countries. That process will be done in cooperation with FIFA, she added. She said that the construction plan was moving along well, noting that work on the World Cup facilities began in 2014. A total of three World Cup stadiums were already inaugurated, with another three waiting only for the start of operations. The Lusail and Ras Abu Aboud stadiums, meanwhile, will be completed in 2021.
For his part, SC Media Relations Director Youssef al-Hammadi said that the World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be the most compact in history in addition to being the first edition hosted by a country in the Middle East.
Al Hammadi added that the State of Qatar will be akin to a large Olympic village during the World Cup, due to how close stadiums and fans will be to each other. He noted that the committee is keen on ensuring the availability of accommodation that suits all fans who will come to Qatar. He said that the country's geographic location will also be a plus, in addition to the timing of matches in the winter, all making Qatar a great tourist destination. The broadcasters of the event will also benefit as they will broadcast the matches at a suitable time for viewers, he added.
He said that spectators will enjoy a different footballing experience in 2022 as they will get to enjoy the Qatari environment, desert, and traditions. He revealed that the committee will switch its focus in the next two years from infrastructure to operations in cooperation with FIFA and its local partners.
