Qatar at World Cup pinnacle after years of Mideast turmoil
FIFA officials have hailed Qatar’s World Cup as the pinnacle of the Gulf nation’s sporting history to date.
Qatar’s young footballers were given a hero’s welcome in Doha on Thursday as they were crowned champions at the tournament’s first football tournament in the Middle East.
The tournament will take place in the first and only time the host nation will compete, on 16 June.
Qatar’s success came after a painful decade for their neighbours that began with regional conflict in neighboring Syria and then with a diplomatic row over a gas-rich gulf state, Qatar.
The tournament also came after another Gulf nation, Kuwait, pulled out of the competition due to a poor international performance.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “We love football, and it is such a huge part of Qatar’s history.
“For that reason, we were really happy the Qatari people had the chance to finally showcase their spectacular talent in front of everyone.”
Qatar’s success came after a painful decade for their neighbours that began with regional conflict in neighboring Syria and then with a diplomatic row over a gas-rich gulf state, Qatar. Pictured, young Qatari footballers wait for the start of the qualifying round for the World Cup in Doha on Friday morning
“In the past 10 years, Qatar has shown tremendous determination to succeed and overcome many difficulties, and I’m sure the World Cup victory will be a big boost to the country.”
‘Dictator’ Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, who has led the country since its Islamist-inspired founding in 1971, said the tournament would be a great opportunity to showcase Qatar’s soccer prowess.
“We hope the FIFA fans in Qatar can be proud of their team during the World Cup. If you look at international football in the Middle East, the game is playing a very important role,” said Khalifa.
The tournament will be held in the first and only time the host nation will compete, on 16 June. Pictured, fans await the start of the qualifying round for the World Cup