By Andrew Warshaw
May 7 – After a difficult week at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur, when its most prominent voice, Hassan Al-Thawadi, lost the chance to bag a place on FIFA’s executive committee, some good news at last for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup campaign.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says he would have no problems if the Gulf state, as previously reported, is unable to build 12 stadiums.
As part of its bid to host, Qatar pledged to build nine new stadiums and refurbish three others, all in the space of 10 years. But Valcke told the Associated Press that he expects 2022 will be played in “between eight to 10” stadia.
“There is a discussion. We will be pragmatic and we will find the right number,” he said.
Valcke’s comments come after Bank of America Merrill Lynch last month said that rising costs may lead to Qatar reducing the number of stadiums it plans to develop for the World Cup.
“I don’t see the interest for Qatar to have 12 stadiums,” said Valcke, highlighting its size rather than cost-cutting as the deciding factor.
“It can be seen as a budget question, but I think that for Qatar it’s not the main point. Do something that makes sense for your country, not only for your budget. With less you can do something that is beautiful.”
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