Qatar considers Iran offer to host World Cup teams

Qatar is considering offers from Iran to host teams during the 2022 World Cup, instead of the GCC countries it had originally planned to work with.

In June last year, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut relations with Doha over its support for terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours.

The chief organiser of the event, Hassan Al Thawadi, said Iran recently offered to host teams who would play in Qatar.

“This is part of the operational plan but obviously it will have to be done with Fifa,” he said.

“Nothing is decided on this matter yet and it remains under discussion.”

The country’s original pitch in its bid to host the tournament included plans to use facilities elsewhere in the Gulf.

Iran is looking to increase access to its neighbours at a time when the US is trying to isolate the country internationally.

Qatar’s acceptance of Tehran’s proposal could be controversial. The boycott bars Qatar from crossing – by land, sea or air – territory owned by the three states.

Doha has grown closer to Tehran in an attempt to get around the boycott.

“I hope the blockading nations can see the value of this major tournament and can allow for their people to benefit from this tournament,” Mr Al Thawadi said.

He said his plans included accommodation for 32 teams, not the 48 teams Fifa had been considering.

“All the preparations are ongoing based on that,” he said.

“There’s a feasibility study undertaken right now for a 48team competition and then a decision will be taken both by Fifa and ourselves as a host nation.”

Accommodating another 16 teams would complicate Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino last week all but wrote off the chances of a 48-team tournament in 2022, saying it would be “a difficult challenge”.