Australia in line to take over 2022 World Cup from Qatar

Australia is back in line as a strong contender to host the 2022 World Cup after Qatar’s diplomatic crisis has left it in jeopardy and likely to pull out of holding the event.

A new report has delved into the suitability for Qatar to host the World Cup, amid the ongoing political tension in the Middle East.

The build-up to World Cup 2022 has been dogged with problems since it was controversially awarded to Qatar ahead of Australia in 2010.

Al Thumama was the latest stadium to have its design released for 2022 World Cup

Qatar is at ‘increasing risk’ of losing the right to host the 2022 World Cup

The country is currently involved in an ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia cutting all ties

Should Qatar be forced to pull out of hosting the World Cup, Australia could be placed back in the running.

Australia lost out to the Gulf State in the 2022 bid, sparking outrage.

The decision raised concerns over alleged corruption, with former FIFA president Sepp Blatter stepping down in 2015.

A study by management consultants Cornerstone Global evaluated the impact of the current diplomatic situation involving Qatar and its surrounding countries.

Obtained by the BBC, the report claims Qatar ‘is under greater pressure regarding its hosting of the tournament’.

Saudi Arabia’s stance is due to their beliefs that Qatar is destabilising the Middle East and supporting terrorism

It has been designed in the shape of a ‘gahfiya’ – a traditional headdress worn by Arab men

‘The current political crisis has seen – or at least raised the possibility of – a Qatari opposition movement emerging,’ the report said.

‘Given the current political situation… it is certainly possible that the tournament will not be held in Qatar.’

The report warned companies of the ‘high-risk’ infrastructure programme, which is set to total $257billion (£153bn) in costs.

There have also been reports of migrant workers on construction sites being subjected to appalling conditions.

The tournament has subsequently had to be moved to winter because of the temperatures in the summer.

The Qatar in focus: Is the Fifa World Cup 2022 in danger? report advises clients to ‘to give them unique insights to the reality of doing business in complex and challenging environments’.

The stadium will have a 40,000 capacity but will reduce to 20,000 after the tournament

It will play host to the competition’s group stage matches and up until the quarter-final

It also adds: ‘Western diplomats have privately stated they do not know whether or not the tournament will take place as planned.

‘Any cancellation of Qatar hosting the World Cup 2022 will likely be abrupt and will leave contractors involved in a precarious situation that may not be easily resolved.’

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy dismissed the report as ‘transparent as it is laughable.’

They also maintain that there is ‘absolutely no risk’ to Qatar not staging the 2022 World Cup.

In statement to the BBC, they wrote: ‘In the context of the current political situation we question the motives of an organisation – which makes no secret of its affiliation to the countries blockading Qatar – of publishing a report based entirely on media reports and anonymous sources.

Khalifa International Stadium in Doha has already been completed and was unveiled in May

Al Wakrah Stadium, with a 45,120 capacity, is planned to be built by the end of 2018

The Qatar Foundation Stadium, in Doha, is set to be completed by end of 2019

‘The intention to create doubt regarding the tournament, while attempting to cause resentment amongst Qatari citizens and anxiety amongst foreign businesses and residents, is as transparent as it is laughable.

‘Despite the ambitious title of this report, there is absolutely no risk to the future of the first World Cup in the Middle East.’

Ghanim Ali Al Kuwari, Qatar’s competition venues executive director, said they are still on track to be ready for the tournament in five years.

‘One stadium is ready and the other seven are on schedule,’ he said.

Al Bayt Stadium, on the coast north of Doha, is hoped to be built by the end of 2018 with a 45,330 capacity

Al Rayyan Stadium, 44,740 seater, is set to be up-and-running by the first quarter of 2019

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH QATAR?

What’s the report saying?

That among local diplomats in the Middle East, there is not full confidence that Qatar will be able to deliver the World Cup. The report is prepared for infrastructure firms assessing the risks involved in working on preparations for the World Cup.

Why is there a risk the World Cup will be moved?

Diplomats believe the current crisis which has resulted in a blockade of the sovereign state could lead to the development of an opposition movement in the country, with no guarantees of continuity if the governance of the country changes.

How did the crisis develop?

Qatar is a gas-rich nation, sharing a huge oil field with Iran. However, its economic might has long caused fractious relations with some of its Gulf neighbours and things reached crisis point this summer. Five nations – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen accused Qatar of supporting terrorism in June and broke off diplomatic ties. Turkey remains supportive of Qatar, flying out food to beat the blockade, however Qatar’s cash supplies are falling and it has also been hit by falling oil prices.

What problems has this caused?

Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s only immediate neighbour, has closed its land border to the nation, leading to major logistical problems, involving food and movement of citizens. The Saudis, Egypt and UAE have also closed their airspace to Qatari transportation. Infrastructure firms have been forced to source materials needed to build stadiums and other World Cup-related projects from countries outside of the blockade areas. Previously such materials came through the main port in Dubai, now closed to Qatar and its own shipping facilities are limited until a new port opens soon.

Will the World Cup really be transferred?

A number of controversial issues surround the World Cup, from the corruption alleged to have been involved in Qatar securing it, to the treatment of workers and its movement from summer to winter. However, it seems the biggest threat yet is the diplomatic crisis, both in terms of regional instability or a change in leadership of the tiny nation which could put hosting it under threat. The competition’s future in the country depends on how the crisis plays out.

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