By Muhammad Ali Al Muhannadi
We, Qataris and residents, were pleased by the decision of FIFA to host the World Cup 2022 tournament in winter instead of summer. This will be happening for the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup.
Holding the World Cup in winter, from November 21 to December 18, will have a big pay-off and a positive impact, though Qatar has equipped its playgrounds with cooling and solar energy systems that are environmentally friendly.
They will be a legacy for future generations, and Qatar will be the first country in the world to use such systems because of the hot summers in the Gulf region.
One of the salient aspects of holding the final on December 18 is that it is Qatar’s National Day and will fall on a Sunday, when all World Cup finals have been played since the inaugural event in 1930 in Uruguay. The only exception was the 1966 World Cup in England, when the final was played on a Saturday and England won.
The technical level of the teams will be extremely high and the competition is going to be fierce due to the fitness of the players, who will be in peak form since they will start training three or four months earlier, which is unlike exercising in summer, when the heat and exhaustion are overwhelming.
It will also help attract fans, who can enjoy the games in a wonderful atmosphere perfectly suited for a winter vacation followed by Christmas and New Year celebrations.
What brought joy to our hearts and put an end to rumours was the declaration by Fifa President Joseph S Blatter in his press conference that Qatar respected its obligations as the host of the 2022 World Cup and was willing and ready to host the event in accordance with the highest international standards.
The door is open to everyone to visit Qatar to get an idea of how preparations for hosting the World Cup are going.
The FIFA announcement about holding the World Cup in Qatar in winter ended the debate about whether it should be hosted in summer or winter. This will silence envious people who were spreading rumours and financed tabloids waging harsh campaigns against Qatar hosting the global event.
We are going to respond to them with professional rules, excellence in creating large, environment-friendly sports facilities, and cooled stadiums featuring attractive designs based on Qatari heritage.
That is besides the transport and communications facilities and big hotels, and celebrations commensurate with the global event, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East.
