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By Andrew Warshaw in Barcelona
February 18 – Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola today became the latest big name to be unveiled as ambassador for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Guardiola, whose team won the 2009 Champions League, spent two years playing for Qatar’s Al Ahli Club and recently returned to the country after leading his team to the FIFA Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi, the sixth trophy of an historic year.
His addition to an already heavyweight Qatar team was an open secret for weeks but the Qataris took the trouble to make the announcement in Guardiola’s backyard at a swish Barcelona hotel.
“I believe this is a truly unique bid, and a wonderful opportunity to spread the magic and the benefits of the world’s favourite game across the globe,” said Guardiola.
“Having played in Qatar myself between 2003 and 2005, and having grown to love the country and greatly appreciate Qatar’s football development and infrastructure investment, I believe the time is ripe for the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.
“My experience in Qatar, as well as the outstanding organisation and football passion we witnessed in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) during the Clubs World Cup, makes me confident that Qatar and the Middle East can host a spectacular, passionate and unforgettable World Cup that embraces all the FIFA ideals.”
With Australia and the United States widely expected to be Qatar’s main rival, should the 2018 tournament go to Europe,Guardiola will play a key role in lending voice his support for Qatar’s World Cup ambitions.
He joins a high profile list of Bid ambassadors including Gabriel Batistuta, Ronald De Boer, Roger Milla, Sami Al Jaber and Bora Milutinovic.
Qatar’s Bid Committee chief executive Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, welcomed Guardiola onto the Qatar 2022 team.
“More than any of his astonishing successes, we are delighted to have him on our team because of his continued commitment to youth development in football.” Al Thawadi said.
“As the coach of FC Barcelona, he has won every title with a team based on Barcelona youth academy players, a philosophy we are most familiar with from his time helping youth development here in Qatar.
“Everywhere he goes, Josep will bring across our message that a World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will give sporting hope to millions of children across the Middle East.”
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