IKOLI VICTOR
DOHA
With 46 days until the FIFA World Cup Qatar opener against Ecuador on November 20 at Al Bayt Stadium, Youri Djorkaeff, a key member of the legendary France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, stated that Qatar has nothing to lose in this World Cup and must play with enthusiasm.
Djokaeff, an avid traveler who has played for clubs in France, Germany, Italy, England, and the United States, was speaking during the Star Chat session at the 8th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2022 in Doha on Tuesday. The two-day Global Summit at Aspire Academy’s Football Performance Center brings together delegates to share their knowledge, experience and research in football performance and science in collaboration with world football governing body FIFA.
Speaking about Qatar’s uniqueness as a host and playing on home soil, Djorkaeff said, "It’s a chance for Qatar to participate in the World Cup, a chance to host the World Cup, and a chance to play the first game of this edition. The opening game means that the entire world’s attention will be focused on this game, providing an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate and enjoy the game. Qatar has nothing to lose in this World Cup; they must play with enthusiasm,” he added. I believe it will be a fantastic experience for Qatar, which will be hosting for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world. When you put effort into your preparation, it should work, but football science is different.”
"I can’t wait for the World Cup to begin. I want to be there for the first game and let football speak for itself. The world’s attention will be on Qatar with thirty teams and many expectations, but we must remember that this is a football tournament and we must talk about football,” he added.
The Frenchman said Qatar 2022 World Cup will be first global event to welcome fans without restrictions following the pandemic, "It’s time for everyone to come together again, and this tournament comes at a good time because we had a bit of a test during the European Championship 2021, where we were all together again, but this time at a global level, it will be the first time where we will be allowed as fans into stadiums, fan zones, and a lot to share good and bad memories together. This is extremely important to everyone.”
In terms of the type of football to expect as a fan at the World Cup, the World Cup winner said, "I expect a tough tournament and the qualities of the top players will be at the maximum because it’s a mid-season tournament where players aren’t tired.” Further explaining, he said that looking at the recent Brazil-Tunisia game, there is no supremacy because as soon as the tournament begins, it is a different story.
As a player preparing for football’s biggest showpiece, he said, "I won’t be thinking about anything else because I’ve been waiting my whole life for a tournament like this. I’ll be ready to play because the World Cup has been in the works for a long time. I will be in good physical and mental health. The first game is crucial, and you must win it. It gives you a boost for the rest of the tournament.”
It is never easy to win a World Cup, and even more difficult to keep it. Four years have passed since Didier Deschamps led France to a second title, but the team has been marred by controversy, with Mbappe at odds with the France Football Federation, Pogba blackmailed by his brothers and a curse involved, and Benzema, who returned to the team after a long absence, still figuring out how to gel with teammates. However, Djokaeff believes that as champions, it is always difficult to compete and defend a world title.
He said that the France team will face very strong opponents, and that because the World Cup is quickly approaching, "they will go fast and quickly to the first game, you don’t have to think about it, you just have to be ready, and France will be ready for the first game.”