Qatar Considering Iran Offer to Host World Cup Teams: Organizer
DOHA (Dispatches) - Qatar is considering an offer from Iran to host teams during the 2022 World Cup, but no decision has been taken yet.
Iran recently offered to host teams who will play in tiny Qatar in the World Cup which starts in just over four years time.
"This is part of the operational plan, but obviously it will have to be done with FIFA," chief organizer Hassan Al Thawadi told AFP when asked whether teams could be based in Iran.
He added that Qatar had received "numerous proposals from countries with regard to hosting teams" around the time of the World Cup, which kicks off on November 21, 2022.
"Nothing is decided on this matter yet and it remains under discussion," he said.
Any move to accept Iran's offer would provide a major boost for the Islamic Republic at a time.
The country's original pitch in its bid to host the tournament included plans to use facilities elsewhere in the Persian Gulf.
Asked about whether Qatar was prepared to increase the number of teams at the Qatar World Cup to 48, as mooted by FIFA, Al Thawadi said he was still planning for the usual figure of 32.
"Our preparations right now are for 32 teams, the current format. All the preparations are ongoing based on that," he said.
"There's a feasibility study undertaken right now for a 48-team competition and then a decision will be taken both by FIFA and ourselves as a host nation," he added.
Accommodating another 16 teams would vastly complicate Qatar's task in preparing for the World Cup, which was awarded to the tiny desert state in 2010.
Iran recently offered to host teams who will play in tiny Qatar in the World Cup which starts in just over four years time.
"This is part of the operational plan, but obviously it will have to be done with FIFA," chief organizer Hassan Al Thawadi told AFP when asked whether teams could be based in Iran.
He added that Qatar had received "numerous proposals from countries with regard to hosting teams" around the time of the World Cup, which kicks off on November 21, 2022.
"Nothing is decided on this matter yet and it remains under discussion," he said.
Any move to accept Iran's offer would provide a major boost for the Islamic Republic at a time.
The country's original pitch in its bid to host the tournament included plans to use facilities elsewhere in the Persian Gulf.
Asked about whether Qatar was prepared to increase the number of teams at the Qatar World Cup to 48, as mooted by FIFA, Al Thawadi said he was still planning for the usual figure of 32.
"Our preparations right now are for 32 teams, the current format. All the preparations are ongoing based on that," he said.
"There's a feasibility study undertaken right now for a 48-team competition and then a decision will be taken both by FIFA and ourselves as a host nation," he added.
Accommodating another 16 teams would vastly complicate Qatar's task in preparing for the World Cup, which was awarded to the tiny desert state in 2010.