The secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Hassan Al Thawadi, was excited this Friday with the chance to “see (Lionel) Messi lift the trophy” in the final on December 18 in Lusail and considered that The Argentine team “will probably be the second team” of preference among local fans during the first edition to be held in the Arab world.
Al Thawadi, a lawyer by profession, graduated from the University of Sheffield, assumed in March 2011 the function aimed at coordinating between public and private entities the infrastructure and development projects of Qatar 2022, and in his first contact with an Argentine media, the national news agency Télam, the head of the organization for the 2022 FIFA World Cup said: “Seeing Messi lift the trophy in what could be his last World Cup would be something really special for us as organizers. Messi is a global superstar who will be one of the highlights of the tournament. I am very excited to see him play in Qatar.”
–There are 50 days left before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, what is the social climate in Qatar with the competition? How do you imagine the development of the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world?
–The official draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 generated great excitement in the region and around the world. The tournament is shaping up to be truly historic. This has been based on the enthusiasm in the region after the FIFA Arab Cup, which was a great success. We will unite more than 450 million people, both in stadiums and from homes. We are incredibly excited to welcome Qatar and the Middle East to the world. For many people, it will be their first opportunity to see and explore the Arab world, and we want people to come and have unforgettable experiences.
–What are your expectations with Argentina in the World Cup?
–Let’s say that if Argentina and Qatar win their respective groups, the two teams could meet at the quarter-final stage. The Argentine team is on an incredible run at the moment and comes into the competition as one of the favourites. Seeing Messi lift the trophy in what could be his last World Cup would be something really special for us as organisers.
-What degree of identification generates the Argentine team and Messi in the organizing country?
–There are many fans of Argentina and Leo Messi in Qatar and, for many, Argentina will probably be their second team after the Qatar team. Additionally, along with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, England, Brazil, Wales and Australia, Argentina has led the way in securing the most tickets. Some of their matches have also been in the highest demand. I am sure that the Argentine team will receive a lively reception when they arrive in the country and full stadiums in all their matches.
– What other selections generate fanaticism in the Qatari population?
Qatar is a hugely diverse country. There are over 100 nationalities living in Doha, each with their own football allegiances. It is safe to say that all the teams will have good support in Qatar. But, as I mentioned, there are a lot of Argentinian fans here. Brazil is also a well supported team after the local team. The South American teams seem to have a certain pull here in Qatar.
-Argentina’s three games in the first phase are among the four teams most demanded by the fans. Does this statistic surprise you?
–The demand for the FIFA World Cup is stronger than ever despite the unprecedented challenges we have all faced in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ticket sales show how powerful the World Cup is in bringing people together to celebrate the beautiful game. Given their love of soccer, it’s no surprise that Argentinian fans are among the top ticket seekers. I have been to the last three FIFA World Cups and the Copa América in 2019, so I know what football means to the people of Argentina and the continent in general. South American fans always bring enthusiasm.
–For the organization, is Lionel Messi the greatest sporting and commercial figure in the World Cup? How do you imagine the treatment he may receive in what could be his last World Cup?
–Our goal is to deliver an amazing and memorable tournament and experience for fans, players and visitors alike. Like many in the Argentina team, Lionel Messi is a global superstar who will be one of the highlights of the tournament. I am very excited to see him play in Qatar. Any player traveling here for the World Cup can expect to find the same world-class facilities without distinction.
-Regarding organization, what would you recommend to Argentine fans to ensure accommodation options during the World Cup?
–Qatar is implementing a variety of options to ensure traveling fans have a variety of options. Be it a 2 or 5 star hotel, a room on a “floating hotel” cruise ship or a Bedouin style tent under the sky. We will deliver up to 130,000 rooms. There are no worries about a shortage of accommodation. This is a convenient inventory for fans, teams and sponsors traveling to the World Cup.
–How do you access cheap accommodation?
–The cheapest option will always be directly through the Qatar accommodation portal. The organization of the tournament is committed to making this World Cup as affordable as possible for everyone. Thanks to the compact nature of the tournament, fans can stay in the same location throughout the Worlds, helping to minimize travel costs and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the tournament.
–How will the transportation system work in the country for the movement of fans?
–Fans can expect minimal travel times between stadiums via the new state-of-the-art metro, which provides direct access to five of the eight stadiums, while the rest will be served by electric buses from the nearest station. The Doha Metro is the main mode of transportation and has been fully operational since 2019. It is a critical transportation system for the people of Qatar because it helps get cars off the roads, reduces carbon emissions, and supports the realization of the country’s objectives in terms of environmental development. During the Arab Cup, the metro exceeded 2.5 million passengers with an average of 130,000 passengers per day. Through the Hayya Card, fans will have free access to public transport during the World Cup, including bus, metro and tram.