DOHA: World governing body FIFA would be satisfied with the availability of eight stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, visiting football officials said yesterday.
“It (the final tally) is not confirmed yet but FIFA will wait for the report from a feasibility study on how many stadiums Qatar should have,” Jurgen Muller, Head of 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups, said yesterday during a roundtable meeting with local media.
“We need to study what’s possible. (The) minimum (requirement) is eight stadiums. That will be provided by Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and submitted to the FIFA Executive Committee,” he added.
According to Muller, the final decision on the number of stadiums to be used at the 2022 World Cup will be made next year in Qatar.
On Tuesday, Qatar unveiled design of a new 40,000-seater Education City Stadium that is expected to be completed in 2018.
Nasser Al Khater, Executive Director, Communications and Marketing, SC, said he has had detailed discussions with the FIFA delegation.
He said the officials are in Doha to ensure all FIFA requirements are met in relation to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, particularly with a view to this tournament being different to any previous World Cup.
“The main reason for this is to ensure the safest and most successful tournament possible for players, fans, media and stakeholders,” Al Khater said.
He said feasibility studies are currently being carried out regarding the matter of eight stadiums but the final number will be confirmed next year.
Muller said the recognition that there must be extensive planning to find the best solution of overcoming any challenge which arises with a compact tournament. Delia Fischer, FIFA’s Head of Media, dismissed the notion of negative media campaign against Qatar, saying ‘it was completely normal’.
She said FIFA World Cups in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil this year also received ‘negative press’.
“What’s important now is to concentrate on the delivery of the tournament,” she said.
Fischer explained how the local organisers would co-operate with FIFA and other public and private stakeholders to find sustainability solutions in relation to the 2022 World Cup.
Fischer said the FIFA delegation ‘was impressed by the rapid progress in Qatar over the last few years.’
“World Cup is an opportunity for people to meet and exchange different cultural ideals. It will be a good opportunity for East to meet West,” Muller said.
THE PENINSULA
