Despite Qatar crisis, the 2022 World Cup is on

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Bengaluru, July 25: Amidst the political din, Qatar is getting ready to host the 2022 World Cup. Since June 6 when sanctions were imposed on the tiny country by their Gulf neighbours, speculation has been going on as to whether FIFA would strip the country of the quadrennial extravaganza's hosting rights.

Ever since Qatar won the bid to host the FIFA showpiece in 2010, the country has been investing heavily in the sports sector. Eight stadiums are being constructed or renovated in time for the greatest football show on earth.

One venue -- the refurbished cooling-technology aided Khalifa International Stadium -- is ready and already hosted the prestigious Emir's Cup final in May which featured former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez who led his Al Sadd club to glory against Al Rayyan, who were coached by another former Barcelona great, Michael Laudrup. The stadium was unveiled officially exactly 2,022 days before the kick off the 2022 World Cup, a sign of country's meticulous planning.

And last week, the organisers confirmed that a second stadium -- the 40,000-seater Al Wakrah stadium -- which has been designed in the shape of a boat -- is also getting ready.

"The current project is going on schedule and Al Wakrah stadium will be delivered on time by the end of the next year," said project manager Thani Khalifa Al Zarah.

The work on the proposed stadium in Al Shamal which will resemble a fort is also going in full swing and by these developments, it looks as of now, the diplomatic row seems to have had no effect on the football scene in the country.

The backing the country received from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, who has time and again reiterated that Qatar would remain as 2022 WC host has also helped the country stick to their plans.

"The FIFA statement was seen as welcome," said the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL), the apex body in charge of local organisation.

Even otherwise the country has contingency plans in place and a SCDL source was candid while admitting that.

"I think, for us, it's business as usual, we have to continue as normal. In any project there are plans B and C. The World Cup is on. I don't think there's anything to worry about too much."

Support has also poured in from global stars like Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets, who were on a recent visit to the country and the World Cup as the SCDL source claimed is well and 'truly on'.

OneIndia News