|
Qatar's tiny size, high temperatures and lack
of ready stadium infrastructure have prompted some to question
FIFA's decision to make it host, but the desert state has since
launched huge construction projects and promised to complete
seven new stadiums by 2020.
"You can see the progress which is being made here four years
before kickoff," Infantino said via a statement from Qatar's
local World Cup organizing committee after he toured the
40,000-seater Al Wakrah stadium.
"The stadium is very impressive. When you enter here you
immediately feel how imposing it is."
"The Russian World Cup has been the best ever but the World Cup
in 2022 in Qatar -- I am sure -- will be even better," Infantino
added.
The next tournament's logistics were further complicated last
year when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and
Egypt cut diplomatic, transport and trade ties with Qatar,
accusing it of financing terrorism, a charge Qatar denies.
Qatar has nonetheless said it is pushing ahead with ambitious
infrastructure plans to host the World Cup -- the centerpiece of
Doha's strategy to project itself on the global stage -- and has
since inaugurated a $7.4 billion port and expects to open its
first metro by the end of this year.
(Reporting by Eric Knecht; editing by Martyn Herman)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
