Qatar despite spending an eye-watering amount of money, they have positive memories of the World Cup. According to reports, the competition has altered how the world perceives both the nation and the Arab region.
Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani declared, “We fulfilled our promise to host an exceptional tournament in the Arab world that allowed the peoples of the world the opportunity to know the depth of our culture and the originality of our world.”
The organising committee’s leader, Hassan Al Thawadi, is aware that this is just the beginning. “The Arab people, our culture, heritage, and history were celebrated in this. When the final buzzer sounds, it won’t be over,” he remarked.
The World Cup has contributed to Qatar’s image transformation. “I heard from many, especially from Europe, that they had come to support their team but with misgivings,” Al Thawadi stated on Sky Sports. ” However, they left with a fresh perspective after meeting the Qataris and experiencing their hospitality. It served as a platform to connect people in an unmatched way at this time.”
The World Cup, according to Al Thawadi, “has changed people’s perceptions of this region and given us a chance to showcase who we are. In this day and age, in my opinion, cultural understanding is crucial. People from various backgrounds, with various standards and values, exist. However, I believe we have managed to come together despite our differences of opinion by respecting each other’s viewpoints while still expressing our own.”
Furthermore, that position has undoubtedly improved due to the calibre of the final. Although some groups initially threatened to boycott the match, everyone has come around. As a BBC analyst, former England international Alan Shearer witnessed a thrilling World Cup final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. “We can’t breathe. Being present at this final was fantastic and a true honour. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I doubt I will ever see it again. Especially for Messi and Mbappé, it was truly unprecedented,” explains the former striker of Newcastle United, among others.
