Doha-based La Celeste has high hopes of winning the competition this year, according to Pablo Sanz-Reherman.
The South American country of Uruguay has a long history with the FIFA World Cup dating back to when it hosted the first edition of the event in 1930. La Celeste won the competition in its inaugural year and added a second victory in 1950.
Pablo Sanz-Reherman, 49, who has spent more than 18 months working as an engineer with Qatargas, is excited for the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Middle East and Arab world in Qatar in 2022. It will be Uruguay’s fourth consecutive appearance at football’s premier event.
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The Montevideo native, who lives in Al Messila with his wife Alejandra and children Emma and Mateo, expects Uruguay fans to bring passion and enthusiasm to this year’s World Cup, which takes place from 20 November to 18 December.
What are the best places to visit in Qatar?
The desert is completely unique. You can organise great tours and do so many fun things. There are also many things to do in Doha – amazing places like Souq Waqif and Msheireb. I also love the beaches here. Uruguayans love going to the beach, so I’m sure they will enjoy Qatar.
What advice would you give to Uruguayan fans heading to Qatar for the World Cup?
It’s important to learn about the culture – it is obviously different here to many other countries. My advice to people is to plan everything in advance and do some research. I think it’s important to embrace the culture and respect local people. Always try to be flexible, as this will help you enjoy your experience here.
Many fans have asked me questions about the tournament. Most ask about accommodation and the best places to stay. The good thing is this tournament is very compact – you will never be far from a hotel, stadium or fan zone during this World Cup.
What can we expect from Uruguay fans in Qatar?
They will bring their traditions and energy. Uruguayans will want to show they are proud. We will be very visible – it will seem like there are many thousands of us! It means a lot to Uruguayans to be part of the World Cup.
Uruguay will play their group matches at Education City, Lusail and Al Janoub. What type of atmosphere do you think those games will generate?
Uruguay fans are going to be super enthusiastic at all three venues. They are all unique and brand new, so people are going to be impressed with the facilities and their designs. When it comes to the atmosphere, we will always try to be as loud as possible, so that the players can feel our support.
This will be Uruguay’s 14th appearance at a FIFA World Cup. How do you think Diego Alonso’s side will fare at Qatar 2022?
For Uruguay, our mindset is always to win. We tend to overachieve for such a small country and the population we have. The expectation is that we will do very well, and hopefully, we continue playing until the last day of the tournament. That expectation is always there for Uruguay. We are going to be a very tough opponent.
It has been a long time since Uruguay lifted the World Cup back in 1930 and 1950. Do La Celeste have what it takes to claim a third title at Qatar 2022?
Although there are 32 teams competing for the trophy, I believe Uruguay is a serious contender. Young talent and seasoned players make up a large portion of our team. We made it all the way to the semifinals in South Africa 2010, so that chance exists. We have high hopes that 2022 will be the year we return to the championship.
