Iraq National Team Player Says Qatar Will Host Exceptional World Cup Edition

Doha, November 05 (QNA) - Iraqi national team member and Real Salt Lake player Justin Meram said that FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will shed light on the culture of the Middle-East and the passion its people have for football. In an interview with qatar2022.qa, Meram said that he believes the State of Qatar will host an exceptional World Cup edition. "I think it’s very important (the Middle-East hosting the World Cup for the first time). A lot of people are going to be blown away by the culture of the Middle East, along with the magnificent buildings and, of course, the passion for football. I think it’s going to turn the minds of people in a positive way," he said. He praised the compactness of the Qatari World Cup edition, saying it will save fans and players a lot of travelling time. He noted that athletes in particular would be affected physically if they had to travel a lot. "During the Asian Cup in 2015 in Australia, we went from playing in Wollongong, to Brisbane, to Sydney, to Newcastle. After every game we were packing our bags, getting on flights, traveling, getting to a new hotel, unpacking and training. It’s a little unsettling when you’re continuously on the move," he said. He also said that playing the World Cup in the winter will be perfect for the competition, given that the weather will be perfect for playing football and will reflect positively on the level of performances. (QNA)