Qatar is exploring the potential to transform its 2022 FIFA World Cup legacy into a permanent global hub for international sporting events. The Gulf state aims to leverage its existing world-class infrastructure to host a range of major championships year-round, offering an alternative to the costly construction of new venues by individual host countries.
Modhi al-Hajri, a consultant specializing in community and therapeutic nutrition and an expert on sports event hosting, highlighted Qatar’s capacity based on its recent major international experience. “When Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was not merely hosting a sporting tournament; it was welcoming the entire world,” she said, noting that the event demonstrated the country's ability to manage complex logistics including hospitality, security, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, and crowd control.
Al-Hajri sees the World Cup not only as a successful one-time event but as a foundation for a sustainable, innovative model that could maximize existing infrastructure while opening new economic and sporting opportunities for Qatar and the wider international community. She proposed that other countries securing rights to host global competitions consider partnerships with Qatar to stage their tournaments within the country. These events would retain the cultural identity of their respective nations, bringing their athletes, fans, and traditions, while Qatar would supply ready-made stadiums, training facilities, accommodations, and essential support services.
This approach could alleviate the financial and operational burdens associated with building extensive infrastructure that often goes underutilized after single events conclude. “Instead of every country having to build stadiums, hotels, roads and supporting facilities for a single event, why not make use of an established infrastructure capable of hosting competitions throughout the year?” al-Hajri asked.
Qatar's World Cup experience illustrated the importance of an integrated sports ecosystem extending beyond venues, involving transportation networks, healthcare systems, hospitality, security, and entertainment. The country’s multicultural environment also serves as an attraction, offering diverse culinary experiences alongside Qatari cultural heritage.
The proposal is not limited to football; Qatar could extend its hosting capabilities to athletics, swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and other sports. By establishing a calendar of recurring international competitions, the nation could position itself as a year-round sporting destination, which in turn would generate broad economic benefits across aviation, hospitality, retail, tourism, and transport sectors. The initiative could also provide new opportunities for local businesses and enhance the role of the private sector in the sports economy.
Al-Hajri emphasized the sustainability aspect of the model, addressing a longstanding challenge in international sports: the high cost and underuse of venues post-event. By sharing and maximizing existing infrastructure, countries could reduce the environmental and financial impact associated with new constructions, promoting greater efficiency in staging global tournaments.
With significant investments in sports infrastructure and proven organizational capability demonstrated by the 2022 World Cup, Qatar is positioned to expand its function beyond one-off event hosting. Al-Hajri envisions Qatar evolving into a continuous global destination for sporting events that bridges cultures, athletes, and fans year-round, ultimately ensuring a sustainable and collaborative future for international sports.