Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over mantle of the World Cup host to the emir of Qatar whose nation will stage the 2022 version of the world cup.
The ceremony marked a handover from the world’s largest nation by landmass to one of the smallest.
Qatar has a inhabitants of two.three million individuals and an space barely smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.
Qatar’s dimension, in addition to its broiling temperatures and lack of prepared stadium infrastructure, have prompted some to query the choice by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, to make it host.
Qatar’s rulers, nonetheless, say they are going to rise to the problem, with hours to go till the final between France and Croatia that can carry down the curtain on Russia’s hosting of this yr’s event.
Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, joined FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and Putin on the Kremlin ceremony.
Putin, on the ceremony, expressed gratitude to footballers and followers alike.
“Russia is handing over the relay baton for internet hosting the FIFA World Cup to Qatar.
“We’re pleased with what we did for followers of this glorious sport.
“We ourselves, the entire nation, bought an unlimited amount of enjoyment from interacting with soccer, with the world of soccer and with the followers that got here right here from all around the globe.
“I’m positive that our associates from Qatar will be capable of host the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the identical excessive degree.
“We’re, after all, able to share the expertise we acquired in internet hosting the World Cup this yr together with our associates,’’ the Russian President mentioned.
On the climax of the ceremony, Putin handed an official World Cup ball to Infantino, who then handed it over to the emir.
The Qatari emir mentioned his nation would put in all its efforts to make successful of the 2022 World Cup.
“We hope to beat all of the difficulties,” he mentioned.
He mentioned his country would additionally attempt to outdo the success of the Russian crew on the pitch, who surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals.
“Although it is going to be laborious to repeat that success as we’re a small nation, however we’re very eager on sport,’’ he mentioned.
Within the build-up to this yr’s World Cup, some Western politicians referred to as for a boycott over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and allegations of assassinating its opponents abroad, which Moscow denied.
There have been additionally warnings from some marketing campaign teams in regards to the potential for hooligan violence, racist assaults and homophobia.
The match, nonetheless, proceeded with none important organisational hitches, violence and proof of racism or harassment of holiday makers.
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