Qatar is now planning a “totally normal” World Cup in 2022 after rapid progress in the production of coronavirus vaccines, the tournament’s director general told The Associated Press on Sunday before the draw for the European qualifiers.
In the early stages of the pandemic that forced the cancellation of the Euro and Olympic Games this year, Qatari authorities were concerned about a long-term impact of COVID-19 on the first World Cup held in the Middle East.
Around the world, sporting activities have resumed in front of a limited number of fans or in empty stadiums, but the shots have provided hope that spectators can return in great numbers starting next year.
“The generation of a vaccine and the launch of the vaccine is definitely good news for everyone,” said the executive chief for the 2022 World Cup, Nasser Al-Khater, in an interview with the AP. “Everyone is eager to get back to some kind of normalcy in life, and especially in sports as well.
“We are hopeful and wish that by 2022 things will be back to complete normalcy and we will be eager to welcome the fans to have a normal and successful World Cup.”
The European teams will know their way to one of the 13 venues for the tournament on Monday when the draw for the playoffs takes place at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The pandemic has prevented the event from taking place in the host country as is usually done before a World Cup.
“In the post-COVID pandemic era, we hope that the sport will return to normal as soon as possible,” Al-Khater reiterated.
