Qatar 2022 Organizers Pledge Support for Countrys AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid

Doha, December 15 (QNA) - The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organization charged with delivering the infrastructure, operations and legacy for the FIFA World Cup 2022, has pledged its full support for Qatars AFC Asian Cup 2027 bid, which was launched by the Qatar Football Association earlier this year. HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: "Qatar 2022s legacy programmes are anchored in our football for development philosophy. We believe in footballs power to connect cultures, level the playing field, and advance communities and businesses worldwide. It is a legacy of sustainable development far beyond sport and in 2027, it will be the AFC Asian Cups to own and take to new heights." Commenting on the bid, Nasser Al Khater, Chief Executive Officer, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said: "Since 2010, our football and national legacy have grown ever more intertwined. World-class infrastructure, expertise and talent are coming together to deliver the worlds largest sports tournament and at that, an enduring legacy far beyond football. We have the stadiums, the technology, the people, the experience, and most importantly, the passion to host an AFC Asian Cup 2027 of global scale and impact." Qatar, which previously hosted the tournament in 1988 and 2011, are the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions after claiming the title for the first time in 2019. The win means that Qatar will follow in the footsteps of Japan by hosting the FIFA World Cup as the reigning champions of Asia. Qatar is set to host the most compact edition of the FIFA World Cup in modern history and would offer a similar experience in 2027. Fans will have the chance to attend more than one match a day during the early stages of the tournament. They will also benefit from flying into one airport and requiring only one accommodation meaning a more accessible and affordable experience, and one which will reduce the carbon footprint of the event. Players meanwhile will benefit from no internal flights and the opportunity to stay and train at a single venue helping them remain in peak condition throughout the tournament. Should Qatars AFC Asian Cup 2027 bid be successful, fans and players in would benefit from Qatars FIFA World Cup infrastructure, including state-of-the-art training sites and stadiums. The training sites are outfitted with an array of facilities, including FIFA-compliant floodlit natural grass pitches, gyms and media facilities. (QNA)