Qatar hope for historic World Cup

The man behind Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup today claimed the time was right to stage the event in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the chairman of the Qatari bid and the son of the Emir of Qatar, hopes Fifa will sanction the staging of the event in the region for the first time. After announcing the make-up of his bid committee, Sheikh Mohammed said: "We believe it is time to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the very first time.

"A World Cup in Qatar in 2022 would be the first global sports event to be hosted in the region. What could be more fitting than it being the world's favourite game that achieves this historic status?" Sheikh Mohammed also suggested the implications of staging the event in Qatar would have implications beyond sport. He added: "A World Cup held in the Middle East would provide an opportunity for greater understanding and unity between the Arab and Western worlds.

"It would allow the rest of the world to gain a true picture of Arab culture and hospitality. Hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would provide a symbol of hope and inspiration for this region." * PA Sport