DOHA, Qatar — Officials here are working overtime to prevent a bitter feud with Qatar’s Persian Gulf neighbors from spilling over into a critical arena: the soccer pitch.
Organizers insist in interviews that the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states since June 2017 has had no lasting negative impact on preparations for a centerpiece of their nation’s rise on the global stage: playing host to the World Cup, the sport’s quadrennial showcase, in 2022.
“The blockade has not changed any of our plans or timelines,” said Fatma Al-nuaimi, head spokeswoman for the Qatari outfit managing preparations for the global extravaganza that brings with it dozens of national teams and as many as a half-million fans from around the globe for a month of competition.
Officials with FIFA, the soccer world’s organizing body, say they are optimistic that the diplomatic crisis dividing the region will be resolved by 2022.
But while construction is ahead of schedule on a slate of stadiums in Doha, some here say they are worried about an entirely different kind of crisis when Qatar becomes the first Arab nation ever to host the event.
“I’ve got to be honest,” said one British resident in the Qatari capital, who asked not to be named. “How the heck is this conservative Islamic country, where booze is only allowed at high-end hotels, going to manage all the drunken Brits who come for the World Cup?”
The Qataris say they aren’t worried.
“We’ll be ready,” said one official, a member of the nation’s ruling royal family, who laughed out loud when asked about the concerns over coffee on a recent morning in Doha.
“We’re well aware of this issue and are taking steps to prepare,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, adding that Qatari Ministry of Interior officials have traveled to the United Kingdom for special training with the Manchester police force on “how deal with British soccer hooligans and game day shenanigans.”
On a more official note, Ms. Al-nuaimi said that “alcohol is not part of our culture, but hospitality is, and alcohol will be available in designated areas during the tournament.”
Ms. Al-nuaimi said Qatar “sent an observation team” to European soccer championships, where on at least one occasion the chaos grew so wild between gangs of drunken fans that riot police had to break out tear gas and water cannons to halt the violence. Ms. Al-nuaimi said Doha is working closely with Interpol on security preparations in general.
In a word, the arenas being constructed are eye-popping, and the most magnificent may be the recently inaugurated Al Janoub Stadium. It was the brainchild of Zaha Hadid, the renowned Iraqi-British architect who died in 2016. Her followers say the stadium’s look was inspired by the sails of traditional Arab sailing vessels known as dhows.
Holding the soccer championship in a sweltering climate presents logistical challenges of its own. As for heat affecting the players and the international hordes of fans who’ll descend on the country to watch the matches? Not to worry, organizers said. Al Wakrah, along with several other stadiums, will be fully air conditioned to keep players and fans protected from any hot outdoor temperatures.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.