The FIFA Arab Cup 2021 has entered the knockout stage and Qatar has already drawn widespread praise from players and coaches of the participating teams after the completion of 24 matches, which were played during the group stage. The tournament, which has brought together 16 best teams of the region, is also seen as a test event for the country, which will host the FIFA World Cup next year – the first in the Middle East and the Arab world.
All the visiting delegations particularly their players and coaches are deeply impressed with Qatar’s flawless organisation and are happy with the facilities provided by the Local Organising Committee. They are also relishing their experience of playing matches at Al Bayt, Al Thumama, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City and Al Janoub stadiums – six of the eight FIFA World Cup venues being used in the tournament.
Apart from the teams, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also praised Qatar’s organisation while hailing wonderful atmosphere in the stadiums during the matches. Among the visiting teams’ officials, who have lauded Qatar for staging a blockbuster event, is the Head of the Moroccan delegation Noureddine El Baidi. “Qatar has shown great readiness to host successful World Cup, which will be the first in the Arab world,” he said. Members of several teams including Tunisia, the UAE, Mauritania and Egypt have also praised Qatar for their efforts and hoped the next year’s World Cup will be a huge success.
Not just the visiting delegations, fans are also having a memorable time in the ongoing event as the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) is organising a series of cultural activations across the country in collaboration with a range of stakeholders. The SC has also hosted activations along the Doha Corniche besides arranging a series of special events along with waterfront promenade.
Football enthusiasts so far have been treated to music and dance performances from local communities in several locations near five stadiums: 974, Al Bayt, Ahmad Bin Ali, Al Janoub and Al Thumama. The SC has also invited 44 football fanatics from 28 countries to sample the atmosphere at the Arab Cup.
With the quarter-finals set to be played from today, the Arab Cup is moving into the more exciting phase as teams up the ante to achieve the title glory. Qatar’s outstanding performance in the group stage, in which the home team won three straight matches, is also adding colours to the hugely successful tournament.
