The final four-year countdown to the region’s first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Qatar from November 21 to December 18 in 2022 has begun. When the first kickoff takes place at one of the eight state-of-the-art stadiums, Qatar’s amazing journey to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be complete.
Almost eight years ago, Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup at a historic FIFA vote in Zurich. From then on, Qatar has gone about fulfilling its promises at a rapid pace and without a pause.
In July this year, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani officially received the hosts mantle of the FIFA World Cup from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his speech, H H the Amir said Qatar would love to repeat what hosts Russia did at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said Qatar is steaming ahead with its large-scale preparations to host a grand show.
“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. They will be watching the first FIFA World Cup taking place in the Arab world and second in the continent after the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.”
Even FIFA President Gianni Infantino said football’s showpiece event in Qatar would be a game-changer. “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.”
The world watched in awe at the spectacular redevelopment of the the 50,000-seater Khalifa International Stadium, which was inaugurated in May 2017. Interestingly, the country’s iconic sports venue was inaugurated more than five years ahead of schedule.
Other World Cup venues — Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Wakrah Stadium, Education City Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium and Lusail Stadium — are in various stages of completion. All construction works will be complete by 2020, two years before the World Cup.
Qatar has spent billions of dollars to link up the country’s football stadiums with the most modern metro network. More than 70 percent of the rail network has been completed. The Hamad International Airport has increased capacity to handle the rising numbers of passengers.
Ashghal too is expanding Qatar’s road networks. Work continues to lay new road networks, build hospitals and construct underground rail tunnels and bridges.
With world-class infrastructure in place in a couple of years and the most serene weather to be enjoyed in the country in November and December, Qatar clearly looks set to leave a lasting legacy with the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
