The Peninsula
French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are one of the top European clubs to visit Qatar for their winter training camps every season.
The Parisians are here again this year and despite a busy schedule that includes five training sessions, inauguration of a PSG Academy in Doha besides fans and media interactions, the Ligue 1 champions yesterday took time out to inspect Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After touching down in Doha on Sunday night, PSG players yesterday visited the under construction Al Wakrah Stadium – one of the eight venues to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup - and were left amazed with the pace and modern technology being used to build the venue.
Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who is visiting Qatar for the third time but first time as a Parisian, praised Qatar’s commitment in preparing for the mega event.
“Qatar is growing very fast and very rapidly and I think the country is in right path to get ready to host the World Cup in four years time,” the PSG goalkeeper said at a press conference in Doha, yesterday.
The veteran star, however, was not sure of guarding the goal for Italy in the tournament.
“I think I am 40 and it’s a bit difficult to make it to the World Cup as it is in four years time but everything is possible. I may take part in a different role if not as a goalkeeper,” Buffon joked.
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani said he is surprised by the development every time he returns to the country.
“We are coming to Qatar every year for training and I think it’s a phenomenal country. It’s just fantastic and it’s developing very, very quickly. I think it’s a country for the future, the sporting infrastructure in the country is just exceptional. I think the country is on right track to host a successful World Cup,” said the PSG striker.
World Cup hero Kylian Mbappe said he was looking forward to playing at Qatar 2022 when France will defend their title.
“This is my second time here and discovered quite a few things, and hopefully will play the World Cup in three years time. It’s going to be a huge event for us,” said the 20-year old, who was one of the stars in last year’s World Cup in Russia.
Asked if the Word Cup in winter will make any difference, Mbappe’s reply was in the negative.
“I think, it (schedule) will not make any difference. World Cup is a huge event and teams come after a lot of preparations. The competition has always been tough and strong and it will remain so,” said the young forward.
During his visit to Al Wakrah Stadium, PSG Thilo Kehrer said yesterday: “It’s the latest technology and we’ have learned a lot. It’s very modern. When it is finished it would be incredible.”
“It’s under construction but we saw a lot of great things and I hope we are here to see it in 2022,” said another PSG star Presnel Kimpembe.
The Parisians today will hold a training session from 5pm to 7pm at Khalifa International Stadium, another venue for the World Cup 2022. The session will be open for fans.