the most recent facilities? Check. Overflowing stadiums? Electric mood is in order. Check. Exciting games? Check. huge demand for tickets? Verified. Perfect arrangements? World-class transit is in order. Check. wide broadcasting? Check. significant media attention? Check.
With the hosting of the historic FIFA Arab Cup, Qatar demonstrated unprecedented preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will be long remembered by football fans around the world, especially those in the region.
The Arab Cup – featuring 16 best teams of the region – is seen as a test event for the World Cup and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has come off with flying colours from the challenge. While the title winners are yet to be decided, all stakeholders including players, coaches and fans have been deeply impressed with the arrangements by the World Cup hosts in the tournament.
Qatar has used six of its eight World Cup venues – Al Bayt, Al Thumama, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City and Al Janoub stadiums – with each venue amusing all those involved with its unique features.
A lot has been said about the compact nature of the FIFA World Cup, and the Arab Cup is providing the first ultimate live experience to football fans as well as the other stakeholders, who have been able to attend more than one match in a day due to close proximity of stadiums from one-another.
Qatar inaugurated the Al Bayt Stadium and Stadium 974 on the inaugural day of the tournament on November 30, with the opening ceremony taking place at the 60000-seater Al Bayt Stadium, ahead of Qatar’s match against Bahrain.
The technology-filled show, which brought together legendary Arab actors from all over the Arab world, set the stage for thrilling days to come in the tournament.
“It is a fantastic celebration of football, of Arab football and of world football,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on the opening day.
“The stadiums are so fantastic, and everyone is looking forward to the Arab Cup now and the [FIFA] World Cup after,” he added.
Whopping numbers
After the completion of the quarter-final stage, executives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) and the Qatar 2022 Safety & Security Operations Committee (SSOC) reported whopping numbers as they discussed a range of key topics after 28 matches were played.
“We have tested all our transport infrastructure, which included Qatar Rail operating 71,000 journeys and running for 21 hours per day, rather than the usual 17 hours. In addition, Ashghal provided 62,000 parking spaces for fans, while Hamad International Airport operated a dedicated terminal to welcome the 15 visiting teams,” said Abdulaziz Al Mawlawi, Host Country Mobility Operations Director, SC.
“Our workforce totalled 1,100 from 54 countries in addition to 5,000 volunteers from 90 countries, including 100 people from Oman. We also issued 200,000 Fan IDs, which will help us to provide the best possible service in 2022.”
Jassim Al Jassim, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Q22, said: “We have hosted 28 matches so far during the largest event to take place ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup. So far, we have allocated more than 560,000 tickets for all matches, with many fans and media attending more than one match a day throughout the tournament.”
In terms of turnout, Qatar reached new milestone during home team’s quarter-final against the United Arab Emirates at the Al Bayt Stadium, which attracted 63,439 spectators – the highest attendance ever for a sporting event in the country.
With more than 100 outlets having the broadcasting rights for the Arab Cup, the tournament also attracted media persons from around the world as 1,000 media accreditations were issued along with 252 filming applications.
To ensure a safe tournament, the SSOC, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence and Lekhwiya, developed an integrated strategy to ensure the safety of all tournament participants, including officials, teams and fans. The SSOC was tasked with securing all tournament venues, including stadiums and media centres, ensuring smooth transport for stakeholders and ensuring no prohibited items were taken into stadiums.
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Colonel Jassim Al Sayed, Executive Director of the Office of the Deputy Chairman of the SSOC, said: “With a few days to go until the final whistle, there have been no problems or crises. All the security operations have gone as planned. Our security units will continue their efforts in collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of all fans attending the final matches.”
Teams laud excellent organisation
Qatar’s flawless organisation of the event has drawn widespread praise from the visiting teams, with their coaches and players lauding the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts for their excellent arrangements.
Head of the Moroccan delegation Noureddine El Baidi said: “Qatar has shown great readiness to host successful World Cup, which will be the first in the Arab world,” he said.
UAE captain Ismail Matar said Qatar is doing an excellent job in their preparations for the World Cup.
“Organising the Arab Cup is a special rehearsal for Qatar before hosting the World Cup, which all football players would like to be in. Qatar is staging the tournament successfully and I hope FIFA would continue to host this tournament under its umbrella,” he said.
Tunisia’s coach Mondher Kebaier hailed Qatar’s effort and the facilities provided to all the teams.
“Qatar’s organisation has been wonderful but it is not new for the country which is known for hosting such events, and is a host country for the FIFA World Cup”, he said.
Fans in frenzy
Most matches of the event have recorded over 75 percent attendance, with fans creating electric atmosphere during the encounters. Apart from the games involving the home team, matches featuring Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria have been the best-sellers.
Not just inside the stadiums, a lot has been offered to fans, who are enjoying a series of SC-organised cultural activations across the country.
Fans have been treated to music and dance performances from local communities in several locations near five FIFA Arab Cup stadiums: 974, Al Bayt, Ahmad Bin Ali, Al Janoub and Al Thumama. This has included activations from all the countries represented in the competition, with fans taking the time to enjoy and participate in performances before and after matches.
“It is a proud moment for us to represent our beloved country during such an important spectacle for Qatar and the entire Arab world,” Egyptian community leader Abdulnaser Al Mutwalleh told SC.
“We have been involved with performances at a number of stadiums – bringing fans together and enhancing the fan experience. It is also a chance for all fans to learn more about our culture and traditions. I would like to thank the SC for this remarkable opportunity – we can’t wait for the final on 18 December.”
Besides hosting events near the stadiums, the SC also arranged activations along the Doha Corniche, organising a series of special events along with waterfront promenade in collaboration with Qatar Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Katara. Events were also organised during the Qatar International Food Festival, which was also held on the Corniche.
The SC also invited 44 football fanatics from 28 countries to sample the atmosphere during the Arab Cup. The guests, who are all members of the SC’s Qatar Fan Leader Network, enjoyed a four-day trip which included attending the inauguration of Al Bayt Stadium, visiting tourist attractions and meeting some legendary football stars.
The delegation included fans based in Qatar, who interacted with international fans to help them learn more about football in the region.
The objective of the trip was to introduce fans from across the globe to Qatar’s rich culture and offer a glimpse of what to expect at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Vincent Okumagba, 57, from Nigeria, said: “It was my first time in Qatar and I must confess I was blown away by what I saw. The airport, roads, restaurants and culture are unbelievable. It’s a lovely country with beautiful people. I will tell people back home that they cannot afford to miss the World Cup in Qatar. People in Nigeria need to start preparing to travel in the hope we qualify. I think Qatar 2022 will be the best World Cup ever.”
