HH the Amir Officially Receives Hosting Mantle of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar

Moscow, July 15 (QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani officially received the mantle of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar from HE President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in the presence of HE President of International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Gianni Infantino, in a ceremony which was held in the Kremlin Palace on Sunday. HH the Amir extended congratulations to HE the Russian President and the Russian people for the success of organizing the 2018 FIFA World Cup. On behalf of himself and all lovers of football and sports around the world, HH the Amir congratulated Russia for the great success and looked forward to welcome everyone to 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. HH the Amir also thanked the friends in Russia, especially the organizing committee of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia for their cooperation with their counterparts, the organizing committee of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, confirming that they have benefited and looked forward to cooperating in organizing 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. HH the Amir thanked HE President of FIFA Gianni Infantino for all his exerted efforts and looked forward to work together to organize 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. HH the Amir stressed the importance of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar to all Arabs as mentioned previously in 2010 and welcomed the world to attend 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. His Highness confirmed the success of the tournament in Qatar and stressed his great trust in the Arab youth and friends who will be present in its organization. At the opening of the ceremony, HE the Russian President expressed his pride in all the efforts made in organizing 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, confirming his certainty that Qatar will succeed in organizing a similar high class world cup. He added "We are, of course, ready to share the experience we acquired in holding the World Cup this year," confirming that Russia will do its best to promote sports and its role in uniting people and countries. On his part, HE President of FIFA Gianni Infantino expressed his content with the ceremony saying "It's so important that we can be here today in the iconic place of the Kremlin to pass the World Cup hosting rights from the organizer of the 2018 World Cup to the organizer of the 2022 World Cup." He added this passion, emotion, love, family and unity were sentiments felt in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and will be transferred to Qatar in 2022. HE the FIFA President said 2022 edition of the world cup will leave a positive and vital impact as it has in the 2016 edition. The handing over ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies members of the delegation accompanying HH the Amir. From the Russian side, the ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies the ministers and senior officials. (QNA)