Tim Cahill: Qatar 2022 is an opportunity to bring the world closer together

Former Australian footballer Tim Cahill, who serves as an ambassador for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy charged with organising Qatar 2022, expressed his complete confidence that Qatar will achieve the success to which it aspires with the hosting of the tournament – given the great preparations being made and the potential the nation holds to ensure an exceptional edition of the FIFA World Cup, be it due to the world-class level of the venues, the close proximity between the stadiums, in addition to the legacy the tournament will leave behind as an initiative to create positive change.

Speaking about the Qatar 2022, Cahill said: “For players and fans alike, the World Cup creates these special memories. It brings people from all over this planet together to celebrate their love of the beautiful game and offers a unique opportunity to explore a new country and learn about its history, culture and traditions. It’s a truly global, shared experience. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be the first major tournament hosted in the Middle East, presenting Qatar with a chance to do something special both on and off the pitch while introducing the wider region and the warmth of its people to the rest of the world.

“The tournament in 2022 will be an opportunity to bring the world closer together following a really difficult time. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in Qatar since retirement and have been hugely impressed by the level of preparation taking place to make sure everything's ready for 2022. It’s a monumental task to deliver a major event like this during a global pandemic, but I’ve no doubt that the tournament will not only be a special moment for Qatar, but for the entire world.

Cahill continued: “On the pitch, Qatar has committed to delivering a World Cup with sustainability at its heart –something which is embedded into everything, from the stadiums to public transport. The longest distance between venues will be just 75km, so fans may have the chance to attend multiple games in one day, a brand-new experience in the recent history of the World Cup. For a football fanatic like me, I find this hugely exciting.”

“For me personally, the initiatives being put in place off the pitch as part of Qatar 2022 are just as important as the work to deliver the tournament on it. Initiatives that educate people and drive social change have the potential to deliver positive outcomes long after the final whistle is blown at Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022.

“I’ve recently had the opportunity to work with Generation Amazing, a human and social legacy programme that uses football-for-development initiatives that teach social and life skills, educating people on important issues such as sustainability, healthy living and inclusivity. Since its launch, the programme has positively impacted more than 500,000 people by tackling prevalent social issues in countries such as Oman, Nepal, Jordan, India and Haiti, among others. By 2022, Generation Amazing is hoping to have reached one million young people around the world. It’s an exciting project and something I’m proud to be a part of.”