CEO of Qatar 2022: Arab Cup Qatar Will Be Distinguished

Doha, April 27 (QNA) - Chief Executive Officer of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser Al Khater affirmed Qatar's readiness to organize a distinguished tournament when it hosts the FIFA Arab Cup in December. In a statement on the sidelines of the tournament's draw on Tuesday evening, Al Khater said that after the successful host of the 2019 and 2020 editions of the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, the Arab Cup provides another ideal opportunity to test the operations, plans and preparations ahead of the World's largest sporting event - FIFA World Cup - in Qatar next year. He noted that the Arab Cup will offer an opportunity for fans, players and officials to use world-class facilities dedicated to hosting the World Cup, including the stadiums, training venues and others. He looked forward to host national teams from all over the Arab world, as part of Qatar's preparations to receive teams and fans from around the world in the largest sporting event in the regions history next year. On the difficulty of some groups, Al Khater indicated that there is no difficult or easy group, and that all teams will surely face difficulties, as each team will strive to win and qualify for the second round. "The most important thing for us is that Qatar, as usual, is on time and fully prepared to organize a successful championship by all standards," Al Khater added, expressing hope for achieving success of the tournament also from a technical point of view. Regarding public attendance for matches, especially since many Arab communities reside in Doha, Al Khater affirmed readiness for all possibilities and hoped that the fans will be able to return to the stadiums to follow the tournament competitions. He said that hosting the Arab Cup constitutes a rehearsal for the World Cup, adding that 23 teams will participate in the tournament, including 16 in the group stage. Al Khater underlined that FIFA is satisfied with all the preparations, and that everyone praises the preparations for the World Cup. The Arab Cup Qatar 2021 will take place later this year during a similar timeslot to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It is seen as a vital opportunity to test operations and facilities exactly a year before Qatar hosts the first World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. (QNA)