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IKOLI VICTOR
DOHA
Carlos Alberto Parreira, Head of FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, said Qatar is showcasing its 2022 World Cup preparations with the construction of fantastic stadiums.
With four years until the 2022 World Cup kicks off, Qatar is ahead of schedule when it comes to venues. Of the eight stadiums Qatar is building or renovating for the tournament, the Khalifa International Stadium is already open and will host the World Athletics Championships next year. Two more, Al Wakrah and Al Bayt stadiums, are expected to be finished by the end of this year and will be officially opened early in 2019. Work is also well underway on the Lusail Stadium, where the World Cup opening and final games will be played in 2022.
"There's no doubt that Qatar will get its preparations right and that the stadiums will be fantastic," the 1994 FIFA World Cup-winning coach commented on the world governing football body (FIFA) website.
"Every World Cup has something special about it. It's going to be interesting to see how the fans are going to interact in a far smaller country than at previous World Cups. They'll also have the chance to visit the surrounding region. It's going to be a party and it's going to be fun," he added.
The Brazilian, who has worked in the Middle East before, said he will continue to support the growth of the game ahead of the next World Cup in Qatar.
"The story starts all over again now, with the qualifiers and a long road ahead. It's a four-year cycle and if you're involved in it, it can be a long process. Teams have already begun their preparations and embarked on processes of renewal. France have a solid foundation and Brazil are going to bring in new players. It's a challenge and a fascinating task for coaches. I'm going to keep pushing for football to continue its development."
Perreira will lead a FIFA Football Conference to be held in London on September 23, in which head coaches and technical directors of all 211 member associations, as well as the technical experts of all six confederations, have been invited by FIFA.
Sharing his thoughts on the technical and tactical outcome of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he said,"Possession of the ball is no longer a must. The teams were more concerned with playing in smaller spaces, in staying compact and getting into the opposition half as quickly as possible, and they won as teams, with individual talents playing for their teams."
Parreira added that Messi and Neymar disappointed their fans at the World Cup but had praise for Ronaldo.
"There was a lot of expectation surrounding Messi and Neymar, but unfortunately they couldn't do everything the fans were hoping for from them. Cristiano Ronaldo is a different kind of talent and he really applies himself in a technical sense."
"You can't win the World Cup with talent alone, but you can't win it without talent either, as long as they play for the team. They say that teams win trophies and that talented players win matches. They can do the unexpected, the out of the ordinary."
