World Cup to boost Qatar's infrastructure

Qatar winning the bid to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup will spur the country's infrastructure projects according to a just released report.

Launching the The Gulf Coopertaion Council Infrastructure Guide, one of the authors of the report and head of Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), Ed James said "direct investments of several billions of dollars will be made in Qatar to build football stadiums and other infrastructure following the announcement of awarding the FIFA 2022 World Cup hosting rights to Qatar."

The Meed report, published in association with the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, examines public-private partnerships (PPPs) within the context of the development of infrastructure projects market in Qatar and across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

A compelling statistic the report reveals is the present value of major infrastructure projects currently under construction in Qatar which amounts to over $55 billion, around half of the estimated $100 billion to be awarded in the near future.

James added "the build-up to the World Cup will give additional momentum as well as push ahead the time frame of these projects."

Qatar's sporting infrastructure is currently focused on the city of Doha's Aspire Zone, but the World Cup hosting requires the construction of up to 10 new stadia. In addition, the Qatar National Convention Centre will open next year.

Meanwhile, world football governing body FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has suggested that Qatar could share World Cup with "nearby" nations.

In an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe, Blatter (incorrectly) said Australia had proposed to host games in New Zealand and Qatar could do the same with "nearby countries."

Blatter (pictured) added "with Qatar, we are opening up football to a new world and a new culture ... the Islamic world consists of a billion people."

Staging the tournament in the (northern hemisphere) winter has also been canvassed although controlling the climate within stadia to reduce the heat of the Qatari summer had been a key component of Qatarâs bid. 

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