Our bid was based on the sole intent of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup
in the summer. FIFA’s technical inspectors attended a Qatari League match
at Al Sadd Stadium and experienced the cooling systems. The inspection
team also visited the prototype stadium that we built at considerable cost to
demonstrate that cooling could be implemented with renewable energy.
We are offering solutions to keep players and fans cool and comfortable
- and developing those solutions to ensure that they are environmentally
sustainable.
We will forge ahead with implementing and developing this
technology. Our commitment to this is grounded in the legacy it will
offer for Qatar and countries with similar climates. It will enable sport
to be played 12 months of the year. The application of this technology is
not limited to stadiums or sports venues. It can be applied in public
spaces, so outdoor life can be enjoyed all year round, regardless of climate.
Concerning the timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, we have always
reiterated that we bid on the parameters that we would host in the summer of
2022. Various figures from the world of football have raised preferences
for hosting in the winter. We are ready to host the World Cup in summer
or winter. Our planning isn’t affected either way, as we are committed to
the cooling technologies for legacy reasons, as outlined above.
We are progressing rapidly with our plans, have achieved many of our
milestones and have committed significant time, money and resources toward
implementing our vision. Our first new stadium breaks ground this year
and five further stadiums are in different stages of planning. We will be
making further announcements in the near future concerning our progress
regarding infrastructure.
Football is the most popular sport in the Middle East and the people of
our region are excited to witness history being made in their part of the
world. We are committed to delivering on the promises we made to FIFA and
the international football community through staging a successful FIFA World
Cup in 2022 – not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch - on social, human
and cultural levels.
Qatar 2022 Media Team
E-mail: media@qatar2022.qa