“The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) is confident that Qatar will host a magnificent World Cup, under the guidance of Fifa," says Shaikh Salman. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Asia’s football chief has underlined his support for Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup after English officials suggested the event should be moved elsewhere.
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa said Qatar would ‘make Asia proud’ with the tournament, despite ongoing concerns over playing it in the harsh Gulf summer.
“The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) is confident that Qatar will host a magnificent World Cup, under the guidance of Fifa, and with it only being the second time that Asia plays host to a Fifa World Cup,” said Shaikh Salman in a statement. “We are sure that Qatar will make Asia proud.”
The timing of the event has become a vexed issue with Fifa and Uefa, the world and European governing bodies, and footballers’ union FIFPro all calling for it to be held during the winter.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2013.
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