Around 35,000 Argentines will attend football’s biggest event in Doha during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, according to H E Guillermo Nicolas, ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the State of Qatar, who spoke to The Peninsula.
Argentina is one of the top 10 nations that purchased tickets for Qatar 2022, according to FIFA.
The two-time World Cup champions are placed in Group C with Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. The previous World Cup host last won the title in 1986 in Mexico City, when the late great Diego Maradona led “La Albiceleste” to triumph over West Germany.
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For the ambassador, Qatar 2022, which will run from November 20 to December 18, could end the 37-year wait for another World Cup victory.
“This will be the first World Cup since the passing of Maradona, who gave us the best goal ever scored in a World Cup, and he will be truly missed,” Nicolas said.
“We have high hopes for our national team and very high expectations for our performance during this World Cup. That passion, and feeling, is what drives our people to Qatar. Around 35,000 Argentines will arrive in Doha during the competition,” he added.
According to the ambassador, the Embassy is in coordination with Argentine national authorities and, with the assistance of the Qatari Government, is preparing a set of actions to guarantee consular assistance to all Argentine citizens. He said providing such service is a “paramount priority for our country.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni recently announced a 48-man preliminary World Cup, which will be cut to 26 before the FIFA deadline on November 13. Led by arguably one of the greatest players ever, Lionel Messi, Argentina is undoubtedly a favourite for the football showpiece.
“Argentina shares the same passion for sports as Qatar. We know that our nationals will paint the streets of Doha with the colours of our flag. And, of course, Messi’s 10 jerseys will be everywhere. Messi is a worldwide figure. We have the privilege of having the two greatest football players of all time, Messi and Maradona.”
Ambassador Nicolas noted that every World Cup is filled with history, and the fact that Qatar 2022 is hosted in an Arab and Muslim country for the first time would inspire the players to victory. “History is written in every World Cup. The set (players) is ready for one of its biggest chapters this year. Just the fact that this edition is the first one to be played in the Arab world and a Muslim country is enough to deserve its place in the records of the competition. But if we only consider the preparations that the country is undergoing, all the elements for a successful event appear to be present,” he said.
The ambassador praised Qatar’s growth and readiness for the competition. The stadiums, which he commended for their cutting-edge designs and functionalities, as well as the highways, roads, bridges, hotels, buildings, parks, malls, and other big projects, according to him, are evidence of the nation’s dedication to producing a fantastic tournament.
