The organisers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup said on Saturday that "there will be no decision imposed" on the country to extend the tournament to 48 teams.
Anticipation is mounting ahead of the final decision, due to be
announced in Paris at the beginning of June, whether to retain a 32-team format
or expand it.
"(The) decision will be made between FIFA and Qatar," said Hassan
al-Thawadi, the secretary general of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and
Legacy.
"In case a decision is made it will be due to our willingness and belief
in the benefits of the increase. If we find that there is no benefit to it, or
that the negatives are more than the positives, our decision will be to remain
on 32 teams."
Expansion could mean FIFA seeking co-hosts in the region willing to support
Qatar, a complicated proposition for Doha which is subject to an ongoing
embargo by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies.
"In case it is increased, (the feasibility study) favours expansion to
other countries," said al-Thawadi.
"We are studying (it) in all seriousness and the decision will be next
month and it will be final."
Talks between FIFA and Qatari organisers are ongoing, he added during a media
briefing in Doha.
"I will leave the period of suspense until we announce it next
month," said al-Thawadi.
Al-Thawadi said that following Thursday's opening of the al-Janoub stadium, the
first purpose-built for the tournament, "we have now six more stadiums to
go".
"By the end of this year (or) first quarter of next year we will be
launching two stadiums as well," he said.
The exact date would depend on the timing of events to launch the two venues,
he added.
"By 2021 all our stadiums will be ready," he said, adding that the
remaining stations of the recently-launched metro system would be fully
operational by 2020, linking stadiums and the airport.
"I'm very proud to say that infrastructure-wise, we are there."
On Friday training site project manager Ahmed al-Obaidly said that the 41
training sites required for a 32-team World Cup were ready and that any
increase in participants would be addressed.
FIFA recommended in March that the number of teams should be raised to 48 for
2022, ahead of the planned 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Al-Janoub, which was known as al-Wakrah stadium until the country's emir
announced the name change in a tweet ahead of the inaugural match, was the
latest milestone in Qatar's preparations.
Spectators were treated to a laser show, a military band and fireworks before
the final of the domestic Emir Cup in which al-Sadd were beaten 1-4 by
al-Duhail.
"It was a great success," said al-Thawadi. "(But) there were
definitely lessons learned in there."
The 40,000-capacity stadium was designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid
and cost an estimated $575 million.
In the early days of the Year of the Snake, Hoa Binh province is filled with a lively and joyful atmosphere as various sports exchange and competition activities take place. These events have become a cherished tradition among local ethnic communities, strengthening their solidarity and fostering their close bonds. They contribute to the robust development of grassroots sports movements, enhancing the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
The Hoa Binh provincial Health sector trade union organized the 1st expanded Hoa Binh provincial Health sector Pickleball tournament in 2025.
At the Hoa Binh provincial sports arena, the Organizing Committee of the 8th Hoa Binh City Sports Festival 2025 held youth and championship crossbow shooting, tug of war, and stick pushing tournaments.
Enforcement Departments of 7 Provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous Regions
On February 19th, at the Hoa Binh Province Sports Hall, the Cluster of Judicial Departments and Civil Judgment Enforcement Departments of 7 provinces in the Northeastern and Mountainous regions, including Hoa Binh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Yen Bai, Bac Giang and Phu Tho organized a friendly sports competition. A total of 52 athletes from the provinces in the cluster participated in the competition.
At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th, at Hoa Binh Provincial Stadium, Hoa Binh Football Club (Hoa Binh FC) played against Long An Football Club (Long An FC) in round 9 of the National First Division Football Tournament - Bia Sao Vang, 2024 - 2025. The dramatic match ended in a 0-0 draw when no goals were scored.
At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th, at Hoa Binh Provincial Stadium, Hoa Binh Football Club (Hoa Binh FC) played against Long An Football Club (Long An FC) in round 9 of the National First Division Football Tournament - Bia Sao Vang, 2024 - 2025. The dramatic match ended in a 0-0 draw when no goals were scored.
