The Peninsula
Doha: In addition to
the eight state-of-the-art stadiums across Qatar – seven of which are brand new
– the host country of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup has completed
preparations to support the thousands of volunteers, tournament staff and
visiting media in Qatar during the 29-day tournament, which kicks off when the
host nation takes on Ecuador on November 20, 2022.
“We
have always been confident that Qatar will deliver the best ever FIFA World
Cup,” President Infantino said following the visits. “But to achieve this,
everything off the pitch much match the world class standard we know we will
witness on it. From what we have seen today – there can be no doubt that what
Qatar has delivered away from the stadiums is just as amazing as what they have
delivered at the eight magnificent venues.”
“I
thank His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, and the
people of Qatar for their work over the past years – and I look forward, today
more than ever, to the FIFA World Cup coming here in just over a month’s time.”
President Infantino
visited the Doha Exhibition Centre (DEC), the Doha Exhibition & Conference
Centre (DECC) and the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
During the FIFA World
Cup Qatar 2022, the DEC, located close to the stunning Katara Cultural Village,
will support a wide range of tournament-critical support functions, including
the Tournament Office, Main Operations Centre, IT Command Centre, Main
Volunteer Centre and the Main Accreditation Centre.
The
DECC, located in the heart of Doha’s West Bay area – and a short distance from
the Corniche and the FIFA Fan Festival – will become the Main Ticketing Centre
and Hayya Centre during tournament time.
Finally,
the President also received a tour of the QNCC in Al Rayyan. During the
tournament the QNCC will host the world’s media as it facilitates the
International Broadcast Centre and the Main Media Centre.