FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar preparations continue 'as normal' despite diplomatic crisis

Doha: Qatar’s World Cup preparations continue “as normal” and organisers remain confident that stadium construction deadlines will be met, a source close to the 2022 tournament has told AFP. Despite the country being at the centre of a diplomatic crisis which has seen Qatar cut off politically — and economically — from neighbouring Gulf countries, organisers were unworried, said the source. [caption id=“attachment_3567065” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha. Reuters[/caption] “I think, for us, it’s business as usual, we have to continue as normal,” said the source.Qatar World Cuphfhf “In any construction project there are plans B and C. There doesn’t seem to be any issue of getting materials in. “I don’t think it is something we are worrying about too much.” Since the crisis erupted a week ago, questions have been asked about Qatar’s readiness and suitability to host the 2022 tournament. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others accuse Qatar of supporting extremist groups, a claim vehemently denied by Doha. As a result, these countries and allies have severed transport links to Qatar, closing its only land border, airspace and denying it the chance to transport cargo by ship via the UAE. The isolation of Qatar — labelled a “blockade” by Doha political leaders — also has potentially severe economic implications. The closure of the border, which Qatar shares with Saudi, is seen as particularly significant, threatening the import of materials needed by Qatar to complete its $200 billion-plus worth of infrastructure projects in readiness for 2022. One construction manager told AFP that they only have materials available for two more weeks, but Qatari government ministers have claimed the country’s construction industry could survive for up to a year under current conditions. Earlier this year, Qatar revealed it is spending almost $500m every week on for football’s biggest tournament. Qatar is in the process of building or redeveloping eight stadiums for the World Cup. FIFA is still considering whether a ninth venue is needed for the tournament which will take place in November/December 2022. The first of those stadiums, Khalifa International, which will also host the 2019 World Athletics Championships, opened last month. The crisis has also raised major concerns of yet further instability in the Middle East. Another implication is that Qatar has promoted 2022 as a regional World Cup, to bring together fans across the Middle East. But it appears that some in the region are not that happy with Qatar hosting, with hashtags appearing on social media such as “UAE will host the World Cup” in the last few days, prompting an angry online reaction in Doha. Qatar though has received the support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who said on Sunday that the emirate would remain as 2022 hosts, and that football’s governing body does “not interfere in geopolitics”. Qatar is in almost daily contact with FIFA but that is normal, the source told AFP. However, Infantino’s intervention was supported by those in Doha. “The statement from FIFA was seen as welcome,” said the insider.