Doha (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Doha could accept the proposal put forward by Iran to welcome some delegations participating in the next football world championships scheduled in 2022 in Qatar. The confirmation came yesterday from the secretary general of the organizing committee Hassan al-Thawadi, according to whom this idea "is an integral part of our operational plan".
Speaking on the margins of the peace forum in progress in Paris, France, he added that this possibility will be "decided together with FIFA" (the International Football Federation). The final go-ahead will be evaluated in the context of a confrontation to be held "as the tournament date approaches".
Doha reassured that it had enough space to accommodate the 1.5 million fans expected for the event. However, the small emirate does not have the 600 thousand hotel rooms required by Fifa. Iran has offered to help Qatar, proposing to host some delegations on the island of Kish, facing the shores of the Gulf country.
The final decision on hospitality will be linked to the formula of the event. In late October, President Gianni Infatino said that expanding the world cup to 48 teams (instead of 32) is "feasible", even if it is a "difficult challenge".
Tehran's offer of help confirms the link between Iran and the Arab emirate, according to some at the base of the clash between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In the past, the Gulf crisis has caused fears of a possible (new) assignment of the world cup. In the context of the construction of the stadiums, cases of abuse and very serious violations of workers' rights have emerged, which have cast a shadow over Doha. The investigations and accusations were however archived last year.
