HH the Amir officially receives the mantle of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup

16 July 2018

On 15th July 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially handed over the mantle of World Cup host to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. The President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, was also in attendance.

At the ceremony, HH the Amir praised Russia for hosting a successful 2018 World Cup, and thanked the Russian organising committee for continued co-operation with their Qatari counterparts.

HH the Amir said that he was looking forward to welcoming everyone to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and our country would apply all its efforts to making the next tournament a success. He also stressed the importance of the 2022 World Cup as the first Arab World Cup.

HH the Amir thanked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his support, and said that he looked forward to working closely together to organise the 2022 World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup will be a tournament like no other. It will be connected, green and personalised to fans’ individual preferences. It will be the first time the world’s biggest football tournament is held in the Middle East, and the first World Cup where stadiums are so closely linked that fans can easily attend two matches in a single day.

The 2022 World Cup will be an event that gives football fans convenience and complete choice, allowing them to create their own experiences.

For more information about the 2022 World Cup, please see our In Focus page.