Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy of the 2022 World Cup, published a column in the Time, in which he calls for “putting aside prejudices” two days before the start of the World Cup.

“The opening ceremony and kick-off conclude a 12-year and sometimes turbulent journey since we won the right to host the world’s largest event in our region for the first time.

This World Cup is probably the one that has been the subject of the most reactions and the most ink spilled, even before the first kick-off. It is deeply regrettable that much of this commentary tends to accept disinformation, reject nuance and analysis, and is often supported by racist views based on prejudice and long-standing stereotypes about the Middle East and the Arab world.

This does not mean that we reject constructive criticism. We reach out to all the people who spend it and consider each of their words. We have made sure that this tournament is a symbol of progress as it has contributed in particular to labor law reforms in our country. These developments are internationally recognised.

We wanted this tournament to bring the West and the Middle East closer together, help us know our differences and celebrate a common humanity through the passion that unites us: football.

With the current global climate, we need to know how to appreciate these rare opportunities to come together. The beauty of the World Cup lies in its ability to attract people from all corners of the world, from all walks of life. She leaves a legacy of brotherliness and empathy that fights against misunderstandings, prejudices and stereotypes.

This is especially important for the 450 million people in our region who live and breathe football. Our peoples are bound together by history, language, culture and religions. Different countries maintain their own intricacies. What is indisputable is that football is our common passion, from Algeria to Qatar. Since 1930, the history of the World Cup has been written on all continents. And this time it’s up to us to make history on our land.

Even if Qatar and the Arab world are not suitable or deserving of the host country for some, the facts suggest that this opinion is not unanimous: 97% of tickets are sold. The United Kingdom is among the top five markets for these sales.

We are delighted to welcome so many fans and bring them the culture of hospitality that we cherish as Qataris and Arabs. We are proud of who we are and the values ​​we stand for. We are a nation that has always defended openness, dialogue between peoples and rapprochement between people. These values ​​are the essence of the World Cup.”