Qatar launched its bid to stage football’s World Cup in 2022 on Sunday, saying its tournament would help bridge the gap between the Western and Arab worlds.

Reuters reports that the bid was launched in front of a 50,000 sell-out audience at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for the Emir Cup Final, a local football competition. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, president of the bid, speaking at the launch said, “Qatar 2022 is a bid on behalf of the whole region.

“The first global sports event in the Middle East provides an opportunity for greater understanding and unity between the Arab and Western worlds and can inspire enthusiastic support from football fans young and old across the entire region.

“Qatar is a land of action and not just promises. It’s what makes us the ideal partner to help FIFA establish with certainty that football, and its virtues, is a tool with which a better future can be built.”

Qatar and South Korea are the two countries currently bidding to host the 2022 World Cup. Nine countries are bidding to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Source : http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/169419/qatar-launches-world-cup-2022-bid?utm_source=sbinsl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=may18