In the framework of its preparations for the 2022 World Cup, the International Football Association (FIFA) and the Qatar Football Association announced on Thursday the launch of a tournament for Arab teams from Asia and Africa and hosted by Qatar in 2021.
The Qatari Federation indicated in an official statement on Thursday evening that the Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Projects and Legacy and the head of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Hassan Al-Thawadi submitted the tournament proposal to the FIFA Council, which held its meeting via video calling technology and agreed to organize it.
The Qatari Federation revealed the participation of 22 Arab teams in the tournament, adding, “We look forward to receiving the players, fans of the Arab teams participating in the World Cup championship stadiums.”
The FIFA Council expressed its support for organizing the proposed tournament to be held at times that do not contradict the IFA’s calendar and are limited to the participation of local players, indicating that it will “allow the use of infrastructure and testing operations” for the World Cup.
The Qatari Federation announced that the tournament will be held from 1 to 18 December 2021, that is, within the same period as the matches of the Qatar 2022 tournament, and the final match will be held exactly one year before the start of the first edition of the World Cup in the Arab world.
The tournament matches will host seven out of eight stadiums designated for the 2022 World Cup, which are the Khalifa International Stadium, South Stadium, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium and Ras Abu Abboud Stadium, with a capacity of 40 thousand seats each, in addition to the Al-Bayt Stadium with a capacity of 60 thousand seats.
“It is undoubtedly a wonderful moment for us in Qatar and for football fans across the region and around the world, as Qatar hosts the first edition of this tournament with the participation of 22 Arab teams competing in modern stadiums it builds,” Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Federation, said in the statement. Qatar to host the World Cup, to represent a unique experience for players and fans to see some of what Qatar promises the world in 2022. “
“The new championship is a very important station for our country and the region, and everyone who participates in organizing it and an opportunity to gain important experiences on the road towards hosting the most prominent international event in the world of football on the soil of Qatar in the year 2022.”
As for Al-Thawadi, he said, “The new championship is an ideal opportunity within Qatar’s preparations to host the first edition of the World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world.”
He added, “Qatar hosted many events since its victory in hosting the World Cup in 2010, but this tournament will be the largest in terms of the number of participating teams, and will represent a wonderful opportunity to use the facilities and services of the World Cup before 2022.”
Al-Thawadi added, “The championship competitions will be held within the same dates set for the 2022 World Cup, which means that fans, players and officials of participating teams will have the opportunity to experience the anticipated atmosphere in 2022.”
It is noteworthy that the World Cup in Qatar, the first in an Arab country, will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
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