Eto'o: "Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums will be exceptional"
The former Barcelona and Inter striker was chosen alongside Xavi Hernández and Cafu to act as an ambassador for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has praised preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and highlighted the stadiums as one of the main areas that are going to impress fans from around the globe when the tournament gets underway.
Speaking to Forbes magazine in his role as an ambassador for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), the government organization overseeing the country’s readiness for the competition Eto’o, a former Cameroon international who played in the 2014, 2010, 2002 and 1998 World Cups, said: “It’s going to be the best World Cup in the world. There’s going to be stadiums like no one has ever seen before. We’re going to discover a country that’s going to show soccer in a way we’ve never seen before.”
Eto'o: "I think it's going to be one of the best World Cups ever"
The decorated striker also compared the Qatar World Cup to the 2018 edition in Russia, which was subject to some concerns about security before the tournament. “When Russia won the bid everybody was thinking ‘Why Russia? Are they going to be able to pull it off and maintain the same standards?’” Eto’o said. “The last World Cup was one of the best ever created, if not the best. Now people are talking the same way about Qatar.
"I think it’s going to be one of the best World Cups ever. During my time on the ground in Qatar witnessing preparations, I can say that fans will enjoy stadiums that are unparalleled in their beauty and modern technology. Russia was special, and everybody is now looking forward to Qatar in three years’ time. I’m sure everyone will be blown away by the facilities, infrastructure and the pitches given that the world’s biggest tournament will be played in the Middle East for the first time in history.
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández, now coach of Al Sadd, feted Brazilian defender Cafu and former tennis player Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari are also official SC ambassadors for the tournament.