Asian Football Confederation President statement on FIFA World Cup 2018

Shaikh Salman thanked the Government of the Russian Federation, the local city officials and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), for organising one of the greatest FIFA World Cups in history which was won by France.


AFC 17 Jul 2018, 04:59 AM
Asian Football Confederation President statement on FIFA World Cup 2018
  • Asia last hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002 when Japan and Korea Republic were co-hosts. (Image Credit: Twitter)

As the curtain fell on the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, praised the magnificent celebration of football and looked forward to the baton being handed to Qatar.

Shaikh Salman thanked the Government of the Russian Federation, the local city officials and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), for organising one of the greatest FIFA World Cups in history which was won by France.

The AFC President said: “The FIFA World Cup in Russia has been a magnificent celebration of football and they have set the benchmark for the organisation of future FIFA World Cups. On behalf of the Asian football family, I send our sincerest thanks to Alexey Sorokin, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee.

“Now the focus and spotlight turns to Qatar, who are the hosts in 2022, and I know we can promise the football world a truly memorable Arabic welcome as the world’s greatest football tournament visits the Arab world for the first time.

“I know Asia will be ready, I know the Gulf will be ready and I know that Qatar will be ready to put on an unforgettable show for the world.

“So much planning, so much hard work has already gone into the organisation in Qatar and the AFC has already pledged to support the tournament which graces our Continent for a second time. The AFC will open an office in Doha in the coming months to support the Qatar FA and the LOC.

“Matching the high standards set by Russia in terms of organisation and hospitality will not be easy but Qatar will do everything in its power to put on a show which will make the whole of Asia extremely proud.”

Asia last hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002 when Japan and Korea Republic were co-hosts and since winning the bid in 2010, Qatar has embarked on an ambitious building and refurbishment programme for the eight state-of-the-art stadia which will host the tournament in November - December 2022.

Shaikh Salman added: “Arabic hospitality is famed around the world and Qatar promises the fans, who will travel in the tens of thousands from all corners of the globe, a most spectacular tournament in which they can watch more than one match a day.

“Every World Cup, as we have seen this century – from Japan/Korea Republic to Germany to South Africa to Brazil and now to Russia – has a character and magic of its own. Qatar will be no different as they will deliver a magical tournament for all to behold.”

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