Future World Cup city hosts gather in Doha for show-and-tell powwow

December 9 – FIFA has completed its World Cup Observer Program in Qatar, designed to give future hosts an insight into how FIFA expects their World Cups to play out.

The 3-day Doha program saw the participation of 180 people with a special focus on representatives of the hosts of the 2023 World Cup for Women in Australia/New Zealand, and the 48-team Expanded Men’s World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Participants visited various locations, including the accreditation center, volunteer center, tournament venue, stadiums, international broadcasting center, main media center, FIFA fan festival, and training venues.

“The Observer Program is a key component of every FIFA World Cup and aims to provide those involved in organizing future editions of men’s and women’s tournaments, as well as the wider football community, with a deeper understanding. of what it takes to successfully deliver the greatest show on earth,” said Colin Smith, FIFA’s director of World Cup operations.

“There have been many productive exchanges here in Doha, so we are confident that the participants will leave Qatar with new thoughts, impressions, ideas, as well as a greater appreciation of the magnitude of this event.”

Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke said: “It has been a very rewarding experience to participate in the Future Host City Observation Program in Qatar. This ‘behind the scenes’ look at the operational demands of…