Infantino: FIFA Arab Cup 2021 in Qatar will be a Good Test Event for World Cup 2022

Doha, November 25 (QNA) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirmed that the FIFA Arab Cup, which will be organized by the State of Qatar in 2021 with the participation of all Arab teams, will be a good test event for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. At a press conference held today in Doha, Infantino said that the Arab Cup will be staged in December 2021, the same time when the World Cup will be held in Qatar in 2022. It will be an official tournament under the auspices of FIFA and will witness the participation of 22 Arab teams from the two continents of Africa (12 teams) and Asia (10 teams), he added. He added that the Arab Cup will be a test for the World Cup in Qatar, and it will further attract the world's attention to Arab football, especially since the matches of this tournament will be held at the World Cup stadiums, which a year after that will host the largest football event in the world. The FIFA President said that it was necessary to start now to prepare for this important tournament, to conduct its draw and to arrange its dates in the FIFA agenda for the next season, expecting that this tournament will be a wonderful and distinctive experience before the competitions of the World Cup Qatar. Infantino confirmed that 22 national teams from the Arab region will participate in the FIFA Arab Cup. The 16 teams that take part in the final stage will be split into four groups, with the top two from each qualifying for the quarter-finals. FIFA President said, "We are looking forward to seeing the region's best teams battle it out to see which nation will become champion. Through football, this tournament will unite over 450 million people from across the region, and we are confident that the FIFA Arab Cup will help to build excitement across the region as we edge ever nearer to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world in 2022." Infantino stressed that it would be good for Arab teams to participate with their international players, especially since the tournament has been set in the international agenda, pointing out that it was necessary for clubs to give their players the opportunity to be present and participate in a tournament of this level, and that FIFA will see what it can do by talking, with the confederations in this regard, especially since this is a new and important tournament and is considered a step towards the future. He said that FIFA was working with the State of Qatar to facilitate removal of all obstacles in the way of organizing the best version of the world championship ever, adding that the World Cup Qatar 2022 will be for all the Arab region, not just Qatar, and that everyone will be proud of the participation of all Arabs in the success of this event. He expressed his hope for the participation of all those in the Gulf and Arab region to celebrate World Cup Qatar 2022, considering that politics is a private matter and has nothing to do with sports, expressing his confidence in the participation of those in the Arab Gulf and the Arab region on this occasion because they love football. At the press conference, FIFA President praised the remarkable preparations made by the State of Qatar to organize the World Cup 2022, noting that throughout his 16-year membership in the European Football Association, he had not found a country that would prepare any event as Qatar was doing before the World Cup. Infantino said that this is the first time that he sees ready stadiums two years before the event, pointing out that the eight World Cup stadiums in Qatar are among the best stadiums in the world in all aspects. He expressed admiration for Qatar's vision in planning the implementation of the 2022 World Cup of projects and stadiums, pointing out that the State of Qatar has provided great facilities for visitors to the World Cup, where they can move and access the stadiums in several different ways that take into account security and safety. The World Cup in Qatar will be completely different from previous editions, where fans will be able, for the first time, to watch four matches in one day due to the short distance between the stadiums, which has not happened before, Infantino said, adding that fans will have an opportunity spectate all World Cup matches. FIFA President described Qatar's preparation for the World Cup 2022 as unique in its various stages, especially in its way of thinking about creating stadiums that would completed in an ideal time, noting that he visited Qatar before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and every time he notices progress in the projects and stadiums of the World Cup. He added that he will visit Doha monthly during the coming period to check on the preparations for the World Cup. Infantino said that Qatar's experience in organizing the World Cup will be unique and will leave a mark in the history of the world championships in light of the outstanding preparations that have been made so far, and what will be accomplished during the next two years before the kick off. He praised the efforts of those working in the Qatar World Cup projects, especially the distinctive designs of the stadiums, saying that the State of Qatar will attract the attention of all the world in the coming period and in the World Cup period. Infantino also touched on Qatar's recent achievements in the labor field, specifically the minimum wage for workers, saying that it is not only a strong message to the world but also an assertion that Qatar implements its visions on the ground. FIFA President said that the population of Qatar will double during the World Cup period as from one million to two million visitors will come to the country, pointing out that Qatar is a safe country and will host all visitors and is known by warm hospitality. On expected revenues from the World Cup in Qatar, Infantino said that they will be slightly higher than the last World Cup in Russia, where revenues may reach about $6.5 billion. Infantino said that the World Cup 2022 will be different from all previous tournaments, especially that the tournament will be held in November, and this means the beginning of a season for the players, and therefore the readiness will be greater for all teams. (END)