90% of World Cup 2022 infrastructure completed
The 2022 World Cup is less than two years away now, and host nation Qatar has the projects for the tournament all on schedule.
The two-year countdown is now underway to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2022, which, being held in Qatar, the first Arab host of the massive event, will offer the fans the possibility to attend more than one game a day in the group phase, with the announcement by the organisers that there will be four games daily.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure for the event is now 90% complete, with more than 100 games being held this year at the three World Cup stadiums already inaugurated: Al Khalifa Internacional, Al Janoub and Education City, while three other World Cup venues are in the final phases of construction: Al Rayyan, Al Bayt and Al Thumama. The major works at the remaining stadiums Ras Abu Aboud and Lusail will be finished in 2021.
The infrastructure projects, therefore, are on schedule, including the modern metro for Doha, which the fans used during the World Club Cup in 2019, as well as new roads, the expansion of the Hamad international airport, where more than 50 million visitors are expected in 2022.
Qatar overcomes 2020 challenges
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “2020 has been a year full of challenges for the entire world, and for football in particular, but in spite of this we’re seeing constant progress in the run up to the World Cup, which shows the strong, continuing commitment from Qatar, led by Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to whom I am grateful, for hosting a tournament which will not be forgotten two years from now, as well as building a legacy that will last beyond 2022.”
Infantino added: “In addition to major labour reforms, the progress on the construction of the World Cup stadiums in Qatar was a considerable achievement, taking into account the strict measures put in place to keep the workers safe, furthermore, the AFC Champions League games held in Qatar have shown the country’s flexibility and its capacity despite the difficult circumstances. During my short visit to Doha a few weeks ago I saw up close the magnificent progress of the preparations and I’m waiting impatiently for Qatar 2022, to see the incredible transformation both at local and regional level, offering a unique experience for fans from all over the world.”
For his part, Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, responsible for managing the projects for Qatar 2022, said: “We are very proud of the notable achievements made over the past 10 years in terms of the projects for the event and the infrastructure, with the work on schedule for all of the projects; what’s more the impact of our programmes have started to bear fruit in the lives of people across a number of areas, such as workers' rights, education and entrepreneurship.”
Al Thawadi continued, “this edition of the World Cup is very important, for the country of Qatar, the region and the entire world. During the tournament billions of people will get to discover more about the region and the Middle East, for many for the first time, meaning the World Cup will contribute to showcasing a clearer image of the peoples and countries of the region, as well as shattering the stereotypes that some people have about our country and our region.”
Qatar is organising the World Cup which will have the shortest distances of any World Cup ever, with the stadiums all close by one another, meaning shorter travel times for fans, players and the media.