With less than a month left until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, excitement is palpable across the globe. This time, the tournament is breaking new ground by being held across three nations— the US, Canada, and Mexico— marking a historic milestone with a whopping 104 matches featuring 48 teams. It’s set to be a vastly different experience compared to Qatar 2022, which was unique in its own right as fans flocked to the smallest country ever to host the World Cup.
Qatar is not slowing down; they are committed to hosting numerous FIFA tournaments to build and solidify trust in their capabilities. This sentiment was echoed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a signing ceremony earlier this month. Infantino praised Qatar for their dedication and expertise, assuring that he can “certainly sleep well at night knowing a tournament is being played here.” He elaborated on Qatar’s extensive experience in hosting world-class events, from top-notch sporting facilities to hotels, transportation, and the skilled workforce that supports these events.
For many fans, Qatar 2022 was a standout tournament—an experience to remember. One of those fans is Mohammad Mirza, a die-hard football enthusiast from Iran who attended several matches during the tournament. Adorned with football pins and memorabilia, Mirza shared what made the experience special for him: “It was free transport. And the stadiums were very close together,” he recalled. “You could watch two games in one day. I did that myself. It was really the best World Cup.” He also fondly remembered the hospitality of the locals, “The Qataris, their houses are very close to the stadiums. They were giving free food to all the spectators. They said, ahlan wa sahlan, welcome, welcome.”
Al Jassim, a notable figure in Qatar’s sporting scene, highlighted that those moments of cultural connection are what truly elevate football’s biggest tournament. “From a spectator experience, fan experience, and from a cultural and social perspective, it’s very important that all these people mingle with each other, meet each other and see each other,” he stated. There’s no secret about Qatar’s ambitions either; they are also bidding for the Olympics. Looking ahead, Al Jassim mentioned upcoming events such as the Asian Games in 2030 and the FIBA Basketball Championship in 2027, with volleyball in 2028. “I think our sports calendar will continue to grow moving forward,” he said.
The entire objective behind investing in infrastructure is to create a lasting legacy. This vision of a thriving sports hub is not just about hosting tournaments; it’s about establishing a connection with fans worldwide and solidifying Qatar’s reputation as a premier destination for global sporting events.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, one can’t help but wonder: how will Qatar’s experience shape the future of international tournaments? Will the legacy of Qatar 2022 continue to influence how the world experiences football?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber