Wael Gomaa
Three-time Africa Cup of Nations champion Wael Gomaa and Iraqi legend Younis Mahmoud reiterated that the Qatar 2022 will be a historical event and the entire region will reap the benefits of the first Arab World Cup.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Ambassadors, Gomaa and Mahmoud took part in an online round table discussion with local media and noted that the world will get to experience a marvellous FIFA World Cup, the first of such an event in the Arab region, in two years’ time.
Gomaa who enjoyed three Africa Cup of Nations victories with the Egyptian national team, has claimed 26 major trophies with Al Ahly, including six African Champions League titles before retiring in 2014.
He has been working closely with the Qatar 2022 organisers since he signed up as an ambassador in 2019.
“The 2022 World Cup will be something marvellous for everybody who like football because it will be a World Cup for the whole Arab, not only for Qatar. And this is a message from Qatar to the whole world that the Arab can do something unique for the world and for World Cup and for the people who like football,” Gomaa said during the discussion.
“The preparations made by Qatar are exemplary as the country seeks to present a futuristic World Cup for fans and the whole world,” Gomaa said.
Gomaa, who has made 114 international appearances with his national team, stated that the preparations for the Qatar World Cup are in full swing and in a wonderful way.
“The Khalifa International Stadium, one of the oldest stadiums in Qatar, and the completion of the Education City and Al Janoub stadiums as well as the near completion of the Al Bayt, Al Rayyan and Al Thumama stadiums, send a strong message to the world. Lusail and Ras Abu Aboud stadiums will be completed within the next year and it means Qatar is almost ready for the 2022 football spectacle,” Gomaa said.
He also said that the fans will have the opportunity to watch more than one match during the Qatar 2022 due the close proximity and accessibility, especially since the longest distance between two World Cup stadiums is about 55 km, which the fans may travel in about twenty minutes.
“This was not possible in any of the previous FIFA World Cups and it will be a new and exciting experience for the fans who will visit Qatar in 2022,” Gomaa added.
Younis Mahmoud
Meanwhile, former Iraqi captain Mahmoud stressed that the Generation Amazing ambassadors will have a major role in the coming period in order to convey the true face of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and the efforts made by Qatar to host an exceptional World Cup.
Mahmoud who is currently residing in Qatar, contributing to television programmes as a football analyst, said Qatar is 100 percent ready to host the World Cup. Qatar, despite the most difficult circumstances which are affecting the entire world right now, is one of the very first countries which have witnessed the return of sport amid the pandemic.
The Iraqi legend also noted that the QNB Stars League is one of the very few leagues in the world that are currently held with public attendance.
“Qatar has become the sports capital in the world due to its enormous potential and capabilities in sports facilities and infrastructure, as well as hosting in recent years the most prominent events and tournaments at all levels in different disciplines,” Mahmoud added.
“The whole world is waiting to witness an amazing version of the World Championship in Qatar in 2022, especially in light of the continuous preparations, unique infrastructure, state-of-the-art sports facilities, advanced technology which have received praise from all over the world.
“I wish if there will be a record participation of Arab teams at the Qatar 2022, especially in the presence of the Qatar national team in it. That will be exceptional for sure,” Mahmoud said.
