UAE Could Be Open To Co-Hosting 2022 World Cup

UAE General Sports Authority Chair Mohammed Khalfan al-Romaithi believes the Gulf nation would "welcome an approach to co-host the 2022 World Cup if its deep political rift with Qatar is resolved," according to Cornwell & Mulvenney of REUTERS. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has backed a proposal to expand the next World Cup from 32 to 48 teams and has suggested that neighboring countries "could host matches." Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, however, "launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar" in June '17. The countries accuse Qatar of "supporting terrorism, which it denies." Romaithi said, "I think the right way is to solve the problem. Bring back the relationships, be brothers again like we were, and then we can support." There have been "few signs of an end to the region's deepest rift in years." Romaithi: "If the problem is solved I think the UAE would welcome the World Cup here, a group or two for example" (REUTERS, 1/22).