With the next stagings of the European Championship, Africa Cup of Nations, Copa America and Olympic Games to come over the next year, the 2022 FIFA World Cup still feels far away in the future. However, that is not the stance which is being taken by organisers of the event in the Middle East, who wish to follow a successful tournament with a long-term legacy. Although infrastructure is what immediately catches the eye when you view plans for the competition in Qatar, football authorities want to create new supporters in that part of the world in a bid to encourage more acceptance that they have significant parts to play in all sports going forward.
After Qatar emerged victorious during the bidding process, developers were soon instructed to do everything required to create 8 FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums in Qatar. As it stands, three of the stadiums - Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City - have all been completed, with the other five well down the line of being approved to welcome fans. Unlike previous editions of the World Cup, travel for the competing nations is going to be kept to a minimum with each of the grounds all within relatively close proximity to each other. However, while these stadiums are expected to provide some spectacular sights ahead of and during the tournament, there are currently plans for changes to be made afterwards. For instance, the Lusail Iconic Stadium - the venue for the final - is in line to be downgraded from an 80,000 capacity to 40,000, whereas the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is due to be taken down during early 2023 with it not being required for future use.
While Qatar and other Middle Eastern nations are capable of producing unrivalled facilities, a long-standing impact will not come in that area of the world until more high-profile players move to its respective clubs. As it stands, there is an argument that the most famous names in the Qatar Stars League feature in the dugout rather than out on the pitch. Barcelona legend Xavi spent the final four years of his playing career at Al Sadd, a move which eventually led to the Spaniard becoming manager at the same club. Denmark great Michael Laudrup has also enjoyed periods in charge of Lekhwiya and Al Rayyan respectively, while former Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic and -ex Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi are currently overseeing matters at Al Gharafa and Al Duhail respectively.
From a playing perspective, former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla probably holds the tag of most reputable player, followed by the likes of ex-Porto playmaker Yacine Brahimi and ex-Bayern Munich, Juventus and Roma centre-back Medhi Benatia. All three players are solid names in their own right, but the Qatar Stars League needs to follow the MLS in becoming more appealing to stars at the back end of their careers. The Saudi Professional League finds itself in a similar predicament, but the recent arrival of Argentina midfielder Ever Banega at Al Shabab is certainly a step in the right direction.
As well as players being brought into the region, Middle Eastern football will also make progress if their homegrown talent can move to Europe. Qatar have never experienced playing at a World Cup Finals, but they powered their way to the Asian Cup in 2019 having never reached the last four of the competition. It was a groundbreaking achievement for the Maroons, and arguably a result of being provided with opportunities to take on stronger opposition in friendly matches and major competitions. Criticism emerged when they were invited to take part in the 2019 Copa America, but recording a draw with Paraguay and only losing 2-0 to Argentina justified their appearance.
As it stands, each of Qatar's current crop of players feature in the Qatar Stars League, something which is likely to continue in the short term as players look to establish themselves in the nation's World Cup squad. Nevertheless, with the majority of them still in their twenties, they will not be short of opportunities if they can make an impact in 2022, particularly against one of the bigger nations. The naturalisation of foreign players haa previously been an issue for Qatar, one which has been brought up by FIFA, but as the years have gone by, a larger percentage of the squad were born in the country, and the biggest sign that Middle Eastern Football remains on the rise after 2022 will be if someone can hold down a regular spot in a major European league.
