Countdown to 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Begins

Published November 21st, 2018 - 07:40 GMT
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament had massive potential to break down cultural stereotypes and bring people together through football
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament had massive potential to break down cultural stereotypes and bring people together through football

Wednesday marks exactly four years to the kickoff of the next World Cup in Qatar. With one stadium fully redeveloped and seven others under various stages of construction, all the infrastructure projects are set to be completed well before the tournament begins on November 21, 2022.

Commenting on the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament had massive potential to break down cultural stereotypes and bring people together through football.

"I think this World Cup is extremely important, not only for Qatar but for the whole region a region that has a passion for football and is investing a lot in the game.

"This World Cup is a unique opportunity a chance to show the world what this region can offer for football, but also for anybody in the world to come and visit a beautiful place, learn about a new culture and meet new people. In this world, especially in the current climate, it is very much needed that we open our doors and discover new places." The recent World Cup in Russia set a high benchmark, said Infantino, who is expecting fans to receive a warm welcome in Qatar in 2022.

"There are many lessons we can learn from Russia," said Infantino."The first one is how to welcome so many people 1.5 million people came to Russia to enjoy the World Cup and they were all welcomed in a way that was unexpected to many. There were many fears about Russia, but it turned out to be a very safe World Cup, a very welcoming World Cup, in a country that made fans feel good. The whole population contributed to that and I'm sure the same will happen here in Qatar. The Russian World Cup was the best ever, and the World Cup in 2022 has to be even better."

On his part, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary- General Hassan al Thawadi said,"In four years' time, 1.5 million fans will descend on Qatar from every corner of the globe and billions more will tune in on their TVs, smartphones and tablets to watch 28 days of football. It will be a momentous occasion for the teams participating, the fans watching, and for the whole Arab world, which is eagerly anticipating hosting the showpiece event of the most popular sport in the world for the first time ever.

"Football, more than any other sport, has the power to build bridges of understanding between people and cultures. With key tournament and national infrastructure projects on-schedule and each of our legacy initiatives proving a catalyst for positive change both locally and abroad, we are delivering on our promise of hosting a unique and transformational FIFA World Cup for Qatar, the region and the world."

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