Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is just a little over 20 days away, and the host country has left no stone unturned to make the global showpiece event a grand success, showing the whole world the great Qatari hospitality and heritage.
Qatar Tribune met with some of the ambassadors accredited to the State of Qatar to get their views on Qatar’s preparations for the first world cup of the Middle East and Arab world.
The ambassadors are unanimous on their praise for Qatar in hosting an amazing World Cup that leaves lasting a legacy, saying Qatar 2022 will be a grand success.
Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar HE Pascual del Cioppo admired Qatar for its grand preparations for the football mega event.
“Ecuador football team is in Group A and is participating fourth time in FIFA World Cup Qatar-2022. Ecuador first time entered the World Cup qualifiers for 1950 tournament, but later withdrew from qualification. It participated in 2002, 2006 and 2014 tournaments.
The envoy said that Ecuadorian President Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza will be attending the inauguration ceremony on the invitation of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with around 5,000 Ecuadorian football lovers who will come to Qatar to support their team.
The Ecuador envoy congratulated the authorities concerned on the use of state of the art architectures, tech technology to build the stadiums
Commenting on the opening match, the envoy said he got two opportunities to watch playing Qatari team since his arrival in January this year. He said Qatari national team players are excellent, while Equador team members are young and having rich experience playing with European and Mexican teams. He said the opening match will be very interesting game.
Similarly, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Qatar HE Lee Joon-Hoheaped praise on Qatar for its preparations for the World Cup.
Lee Joon-Ho said 2022 is a big moment for Qatar. “This World Cup will be memorable not only because it is the first-ever World Cup held in the winter season and in the Middle East, but also because it is the biggest post-pandemic sporting event which will connect us with hope, friendship and solidarity,” he said.
The Korean envoy said Qatar has prepared for this World Cup for more than 10 years.
“Korea has been with Qatar through this long journey. Korean companies have actively participated in major infrastructure projects such as Doha Metro and Lusail Expressway and the design of Al Thumama World Cup Stadium,” he added.
He said Korean Military Police trainers are closely cooperating with the Qatari Military Police to prepare for the World Cup. “Many Koreans join the volunteer programmes and give their whole-hearted support for the great success of the World Cup. I am certain this World Cup will be the greatest moment,” he added.
Lee Joon-Ho said the football team of Republic of Korea is in Group H, with it’s first scheduled to be with Uruguay on 24th of November. Korean team participated first time in World Cup tournament in 1954 and since 1986, consequently appearing in FIFA Cup tournament.
He said Qatar belongs to Group A, and Korea is in Group H. According to his calculation based on the match calendar, if the two teams can ever meet, it would be the semi-final.
For his part, Ambassador of Spain to Qatar HE Javier Carbajosa has expressed his admiration for the passion for football in Qatar. He expressed his hope that the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be a great success not only for the country but also for the whole region.
“We all look forward to a memorable and unique tournament. We believe it will be a great success not only for the country but also for the whole region,” the Spanish envoy added.
He said the Spanish football team is in Group E and it’s first match with the Costa Rican team on November 23.
In his recent remarks on hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Spanish envoy said Qatar and Spain share a passion for sports, especially football. To this end, Qatar and Spain have signed in 2021 a MOU on Youth and Sports that will enable enhanced cooperation in this field.
“There is a strong partnership between Qatar and Spain in the field of sports. Spain is contributing to enhance sports culture in Qatar in many ways -- through Aspire Academy and Aspetar, where qualified Spanish professionals work, with top Spanish players in Qatari teams,” he said.
The Spanish envoy said many Spanish companies have also been contributing to the development of the infrastructure projects for the World Cup, such as the metro, airport, roads, etc.
Two of the eight Qatar World Cup stadiums -- Education City Stadium and 974 Ras Abu Aboud Stadium -- have been designed by the Spanish architecture firm Fenwick Iribarren Architects: Moreover, the Qatar National Team has chosen Marbella, Spain, to gear up for the FIFA World Cup.
