Criticism levelled at the Qatar World Cup by the West emboldened the Arab world to get behind the tournament and make it one of the most successful this century, organisers said at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
The World Cup was the largest sporting tournament in the region and, along with Expo 2020 Dubai, carved out a blueprint for how other global events could be staged in the Middle East.
Sustainable buildings and a legacy of hosting follow-up events, such as Cop28 to be held in Dubai this year, were clear examples of how to utilise new infrastructure, the summit heard.
executive director at the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau
Speaking at the session called Hosting Major Events: An Arab Success Story, Nasser Al Khater, who was chief executive of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022, said the criticism began as soon as the country won the bid to host the tournament, and continued until the event kicked off.
Questions were raised over Qatar's treatment of migrant workers, plus its perceived lack of footballing heritage, in the build-up to the competition.
A late decision to ban alcohol in stadiums also made headlines, but Qatar won widespread praise for the warm and welcoming atmosphere at the event in which fans happily mingled together before and after games.
“We heard criticism from the western media, and some western entities wanted failure,” he said.
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After 64 games in Qatar, it took extra time and penalties to decide the winner. After a sensational 3-3 draw, Argentina overcame France 4-2 after spot-kicks to secure their third World Cup. Getty Images -
Argentina players celebrate winning the World Cup following one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament's history. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe scored a remarkable hat-trick, but couldn't steer France to back-to-back titles. AFP -
Lionel Messi thought he'd won it in extra time after scoring his second of the game. AFP -
Mbappe volleyed in France's second, 97 second after scoring his first. AP Photo -
Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring Argentina's second goal. Reuters -
The South American team have one hand on the trophy at half-time. Reuters -
Kylian Mbappe embraces Lionel Messi ahead of the final. AFP -
Fireworks and artists on the field formed part of Qatar's closing ceremony. AP Photo -
It's the final day of the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina take on holders France at Lusail Stadium. Getty Images -
Live performers are keeping crowds entertained before kick-off. Getty Images -
Many are here to see one man. Reuters -
The nation's captain and talisman needs no introduction. PA -
France fans are at their second successive final. Getty Images -
Hair we go. PA -
The Qatari Amiri Guard are patrolling outside the stadium. Getty Images -
Planes flew over the stadium to mark the occasion. Getty Images -
Kick-off is at 6pm (7pm UAE). Getty Images -
France supporters are backing their hero and talisman Kylian Mbappe to fire them to successive World Cup triumphs. EPA -
Both teams are bidding to lift the trophy for the third time. Getty Images -
Female police officers are on duty at the stadium. PA -
Argentina fans are hoping their little maestro Lionel Messi can collect his first winner's medal at the World Cup, having lost the 2014 final. PA
“But they did not get what they wanted and we were a huge success. It warmed the hearts of Arabs with what was achieved.
“We wished this World Cup after Covid-19 would go smoothly – and it was – we were the first country to bring the fans back into the stadiums.”
Of the eight World Cup stadiums in Qatar, only Khalifa International Stadium will remain in its current form.
Al Bayat Stadium will be transformed into a five-star hotel and mall, while Education City Stadium will be used by local schools and universities, and Al Thumama stadium will host events and become a hotel.
Lusail Stadium is to be turned into a mixed residential and commercial centre, while the Stadium 974 built out of shipping containers has already been dismantled.
The tournament in Doha was the first time a single city had staged all 64 World Cup matches. It was also the first time the World Cup was held in an Arab nation.
According to Qatar, cumulative attendance reached 3.4 million people and host broadcasters beIN Media Group recorded more than 5.4 billion views and 1.1 billion views on its official social media channels throughout the month-long tournament.
The experiences of hosting the Qatar World Cup and Expo 2020 could be used by neighbouring states to host future events, the panel said.
“These two events will be very difficult to replicate for future states,” said Mr Al Khater.
“We focused on the experience of the fans, and the small geography was a major factor of our success.”
Region ready to welcome the world
Saudi Arabia will host the 2023 Fifa World Club Cup and has ambitions to host a Fifa men’s World Cup in 2030 with Greece and Egypt.
The kingdom also plans to stage the 2029 Asian Winter Games at the Trojena mountain resort, due to be completed by 2026.
Meanwhile, Qatar is rumoured to continue its sporting legacy by submitting a bit to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
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The UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
A young visitor enjoys the spectacular light show at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National -
View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Saudi pavilion lit up at night. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Tricolours to the fore as France marks its Expo celebration day. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The French pavilion features a projection of 'The Rose', a 13th-century stained-glass window from Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A visitor takes a picture of the spectacular Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An aerobatics team passes above the Pakistan pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Inside the Malaysia pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Al Wasl dome displays different faces at the Police Academy Graduation in celebration of the country's 50th anniversary. Ruel Pableo / The National -
A young visitor in front of 'Fluidum', a kinetic statue made up of 85 robotically controlled mirrors, representing a vertical water surface, at the Czech pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Women's pavilion by Cartier. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Bahrain pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Monaco pavilion. The entrance is based on a kaleidoscope. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A look at the construction progress of the Sustainability pavilion in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A replica of Michelangelo's 'David' statue at the Italy pavilion on April 27, 2021. Pawan Singh / The National -
View of the closed Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National -
Crowds outside the Saudi Arabia pavilion during the final week of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Air show on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Green spaces and architecture on display. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Visitors swinging in the graduation hall at the Germany pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
Construction work on the Expo 2020 site in November, 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Inside the Sustainability pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
Najeeb Al Ali, executive director at the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said the world's fair was 11 years in the making and required a huge amount of planning.
“We wanted to understand what it was all about and that it had to be exceptional, with a heritage of some sort,” he said.
“There were some 24 million visitors, but 40 per cent were from the UAE which was unique.
“We chose the extension of Dubai, a place geographically south and close to the airport where we could see new developments.
“In a few months we will host Cop28 in Dubai, and use the same infrastructure. We did not want this space to be vacant and unused.
“This is a huge sustainability achievement for the UAE.”
