Zayid and Virgili enter F5 Futures doubles final page 13

Friday, December 14, 2018

English FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn resigns page 13 Cricket Test Match India vs Australia Big support to 48-team World Cup in 2022, says Infantino The final decision on the number of participating teams will be taken in March 2019 IKOLI VICTOR We have spoken with the Qatari authorities. We will FIFA President Gianni Infantino see and we gathered the has said that the 2022 World Cup opinions of members of dif- in Qatar could be a 48-team for- mat with the majority of federa- ferent federations. So far the tion heads at the Executive Football majority of them are in Summit supporting an expansion favour of 48 teams in the from the usual 32-team tourna- 2022 because it gives more ment. teams a chance to qualify The FIFA boss has been in Doha from each continent since Tuesday with more than 70 FIFA member associations from Whether it is feasible or not five confederations for three sum- is a different question. Is it mit meetings. It was the second feasible to do it only in time that Qatar has hosted such summits after the two held in Feb- Qatar? Difficult probably. Is ruary 2017. it feasible to have a few Infantino said that there was games played in neighbour- already a precedent of team expan- ing countries? Maybe this is sion for the quadrennial mega event, an option adding that the decision to increase the number of 1998 World Cup participating teams from 24 to 80 games.” 32 teams was taken four years in ad- Since the launch by FIFA Presi- vance. dent Gianni Infantino in Paris in Speaking at a press conference in November 2016, the summits have Doha on Thursday, Infantino said: become a vital exchange platform to “We have spoken with the Qatari discuss strategic football matters and authorities. We will see and we gath- share best practices between mem- ered the opinions of members of dif- ber associations’ executives in an ferent federations. So far the major- open and constructive atmosphere. ity of them are in favour of 48 teams Key topics on the agenda for the third in the 2022 because it gives more edition of the FIFA Executive Foot- teams a chance to qualify from each ball Summits are the future of FIFA’s continent.” competitions, the FIFA Forward 2.0 “In Asia we have four teams programme, women’s football and qualifying already and that will be video assistant referees (VARs). increased to eight teams. In Africa, FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds a press conference after the Executive Football Summit in Doha on Thursday. (Hanson K Joseph) “It is of the utmost importance five to ten teams qualifying for it can for FIFA to foster a continuous make a big difference.” bouring countries”. Maybe this is an he added. games in Saudi Arabia will be made World Cup are expected to start in dialogue with all our member asso- On the feasibility and prospects option. “Again if it is possible, why not. between the FIFA and Qatar. the summer of 2019. ciations to better understand their of the tournament being shared with “I am not naive enough not to If it is not, we would still have a fan- “We will take the decision togeth- On the prospect of increasing needs and learn from their very di- neighbouring Gulf countries, some know and read the news and what’s tastic World Cup of 32 teams,” Infan- er as partners. We take ourselves and the number of 28 days for the Qatar verse experiences. Through the FIFA of whom have blockaded Qatar since going on. But we are in football not tino said. our decisions much too seriously. We World Cup, if it is eventually moved Executive Football Summits, we can June 2017, Infantino said: “Whether in politics. The FIFA chief reiterated that are not talking about anything dan- to 48 teams, Infantino said: “When tackle global football matters while it is feasible or not is a different ques- “Sometimes in football dreams the decision on the number of teams gerous. We are talking about some- I said we are looking at the feasibil- considering the local issues facing tion. Is it feasible to do it only in Qa- can come true, and Qatar has been would be taken in March. But he thing nice.” ity, it also means we could increase those running football in the mem- tar? Difficult probably. It is feasible clear on this topic and that’s the main conceded it would not be a simple The FIFA chief added that the the number of days for the World ber associations around the world,” to have a few games played in neigh- reason why we should look into it,” decision as the final decision to play preliminary rounds for the 2022 Cup, meaning from 64 matches to said Infantino.

Quick read Qatar & Sudan soccer World Cup 2022 T-shirt for Infantino presidents meet Tribune News Network ing. DOHA Bilateral relations, ways to strengthen and develop them Qatar Football Association further, were on the agenda (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad of the meeting. The two presi- bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani dents also discussed matters of and Sudan Football Association mutual interest and agreed to President Kamal Shaddad met promote cooperation in the fu- at QFA’s headquarters and held ture to further develop football talks about developing the sport in the two countries. in both the countries and in- The Sudan Football Asso- creasing the cooperation further. ciation president highlighted The Sudanese football chief the importance of reinforcing is among 66 heads of federa- the relationship by sharing ex- tions across the continents who perience and expertise. The two have come to attend the three- also stressed on promoting co- day FIFA Executive Football operation in the future so that (left) and have been named the 2018 Summit in Doha. football can improve in both ITF world champions by the international sport governing body. Sudan Football Association the nations. Secretary-General Hassan Abu Shaddad expressed appre- Djokovic, Halep named 2018 ITF world Gabal, Executive Director of ciation to the QFA president for champions the Strategic and Institutional the important role the QFA has Development Office of QFA, been playing in development of London Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were on Thursday Mushtaq al Waeli, and Execu- football. He also added that his named as the 2018 ITF world champions by the governing body of tive Director of the QFA Presi- visit would further reinforce the global . dent’s Office, Ali Daoud, were long-standing and strong rela- QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani presents a Qatar 2022 World Cup souvenir World number one Djokovic receives the honour from the Inter- also present during the meet- tions between the two countries. T-shirt to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Doha on Thursday. national Tennis Federation for the sixth time, while it is the first year that ’s top-ranked Halep has been recognised. “I am very honoured to be named ITF world champion again,” said ’s Djokovic, who stormed back to the top of the rankings after injury, winning Wimbledon and the US Open. “I am particularly proud of this achievement after all that I’ve Sanchez picks 27 players for four friendlies been through physically this year, but part of me always believed I could make it back to the top. It is very satisfying to join Pete Sam- Tribune News Network Kyrgezstan and Algeria on 25 mid Ismael, Hassan al Haydos pras by winning my sixth award.” DOHA and 27. and (Al Sadd), Bas- Halep also enjoyed success in 2018, claiming her The Spaniard will announce sam Hisham al Rawi, Sultan al maiden major title at Roland Garros and reaching the final at the Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has his final roster for Asia’s big- Barik, Asim Madbo, Mohammed Australian Open. announced the squad for the fi- gest tournament following the Mousa, Kareem Boudiaf, “It’s a great honour to be named as ITF world champion for nal preparatory stage ahead of friendly against on Decem- and Al Moaz Ali (Al Duhail), the first time,” she said. “I had an incredible year, winning my the 2019 Asian Cup, set to take ber 31. Yousuf Hassan (goalkeeper), Ab- first Grand Slam at Roland Garros and finishing the year as world place next January in the United Last month, Qatar defeated dul Aziz Hatem and Ahmad Alaa number one.” Arab Emirates. 1-0 before sharing a (Al Gharafa) Abdul Karim Salim US pair and won the men’s doubles Sanchez will test his squad 1-1 draw with Iceland. al Ali (Al Sailiya), Mohammed award while the women’s doubles world champions are Barbora in four tune-up friendlies before Alaa (Al Rayyan), Ahmed Fathi Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. facing Lebanon in Qatar’s open- The squad: (Al Arabi), Ali Awad and Jas- The ITF uses an objective system that considers all results ing game in Group E on January (goalkeeper), sim al Hail (Qatar), Mohammed during the year but gives special weight to the Grand Slam tourna- 9. Pedro Miguel, Salem al Hajri, Bakri (goalkeeper, Al Khor) and ments and two ITF international team competitions, the Al Anabi will take on Jordan , Abdul Karim Yazan Naiem and Abdulrahman and Fed Cup. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez on December 23, before playing Hassan, , Ha- Fathi (Al Ahli).