France will likely mount their World Cup title defence in Qatar in 2022, but some matches could be played in Oman and Kuwait. Matthias Schrader / AP Photo
France will likely mount their World Cup title defence in Qatar in 2022, but some matches could be played in Oman and Kuwait. Matthias Schrader / AP Photo
France will likely mount their World Cup title defence in Qatar in 2022, but some matches could be played in Oman and Kuwait. Matthias Schrader / AP Photo
France will likely mount their World Cup title defence in Qatar in 2022, but some matches could be played in Oman and Kuwait. Matthias Schrader / AP Photo

World Cup 2022: Fifa to push for Oman and Kuwait to host matches, according to report


  • English
  • Arabic

Oman and Kuwait could host some matches at the 2022 World Cup under Fifa plans, according to a report.

Football's world governing body is looking to expand the World Cup from a 32-team competition to one that can accommodate 48 sides. Heavily backed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, it is determined to push ahead with the plan despite the concerns of some officials in host nation Qatar.

Under the plan being considered, most matches will still be held in Qatar – which won the rights to a 32-team event –The New York Times reported on Thursday. A final call on the idea is expected to be made next week when Fifa's governing council meets in Miami.

The report comes a little more than two months after The National reported Infantino's confirmation that Fifa is looking at staging matches elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf.

While the World Cup will definitely be increased by the time of the 2026 event, in Canada, United States and Mexico, Fifa is keen to do so four years ahead of schedule.

Speaking at the Dubai International Sports Conference in January, Infantino said increasing the size of the first World Cup to be played in the Middle East might mean having to play matches in neighbouring countries.

“The discussion is not anymore, ‘Is it good or is it bad that it goes to 48 teams,’ it is, ‘Can we do it earlier?'” Infantino said. “If you think it is a good thing to have 48 teams in a World Cup, and we will have it in 2026, why shouldn’t we try to have it already four years before?

"It is never too late to do something good, which is why we are analysing whether it is possible to have 48 teams in 2022. It will be quite a challenge, to say it diplomatically correct, to have 48 teams in Qatar," the Swiss-Italian added.

Infantino also said the ongoing diplomatic boycott of Qatar by countries including the UAE does not preclude the possibility of a cross-border Gulf World Cup.

“I am not naïve,” Infantino said. “I read the news and watch the media, so I know the headlines that there are tensions in this particular region.

“It is up to the respective leaders to deal with them. But, maybe it is easier to talk about a joint football project than other things.

“If it can help all the people in the Gulf, and all the countries of the world, to develop football, if it can bring a positive message for what football can do, then we should give it a try.”

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm

Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)

On sale: Now

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends