Infantino: Qatar to be 'absolutely exceptional' World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledge the progress made in the preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, held for the first time in the Middle East, during his recent visit.

Infantino praises Qatar World Cup 2022 efforts

Infantino met with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, as progress being made for Qatar 2022 was reviewed. He also visited the Lusail World Cup stadium, the largest of all the venues with a capacity of 80,000, where the final of the global tournament will be played on 18 December 2022.

In a statement to Bein Sport, Infantino said: “It is a fantastic feeling to be here at this beautiful Lusail Stadium merely thinking that after two years, the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the most important match, will be held exactly in this place; so it is an amazing feeling.”

“When you see the work going on, the feeling about the stadium at this stage is almost magical,” he continued. “The latest achievements regarding minimum wage for workers is very important. It not only sends a strong message but also affirms that people in Qatar believe in action and facts, not in propaganda and great speech.

“While the credit goes to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and people in Qatar, the impact of the event will be on the entire region because, as I said earlier, this is not a FIFA World Cup only for Qatar but for GCC, Arab World and entire world.

“I am very happy to see what was achieved so far and what will be done during next two years. You will be able to attend four games a day, and be able to use a bicycle, as well as the Doha underground, which are environmentally friendly modes of transport. The World Cup 2022 will be an absolutely exceptional version,” he concluded.