More than 17,000 media professionals are covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and utilising a vast number of facilities organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
The Host Country Media Centre (HCMC) in Msheireb Downtown Doha is the heart of operations and is equipped with work stations, technical support and broadcast studios, along with food and beverage options.
Fatma Al Nuaimi, Executive Director, Communications & Media, SC, said: “The Host Country Media Centre is a central point for the many thousands of media professionals covering Qatar 2022. Media have everything they need here to report on both the tournament and Qatar as a host country. We are also hosting press conferences on a regular basis and helping tournament stakeholders communicate directly with the media.”
The HCMC is strategically located in the centre of Doha, a short walk from Msheireb metro station and connected via shuttle buses to key sites, including stadiums and the FIFA Fan Festival. It is also close to both Souq Waqif and the Doha Corniche – two locations especially popular with the many thousands of fans attending the tournament.
In addition to the facilities available at the HCMC, the SC has built studio clusters which are available to broadcasters at Souq Waqif and the Doha Corniche. Built in partnership with the Associated Press, the studios are available 24 hours a day for broadcasters who wish to record live from those venues.
“Our goal was to provide the best services to everyone coming to Qatar for this historic tournament,” said Al Nuaimi. “There has been huge interest from media globally – including many social media influencers interested in sharing stories from the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.”
Bloomberg Linea reporter Alan Souza, from Brazil, said: “The infrastructure is great and the staff here are very polite and friendly, always willing to help us and pass on information. The location is great – we’re near restaurants, places to visit and it’s really easy to find. Everything we need is here to film, edit and interview. It’s perfect for me.”
Ayotola Soloman, camera operator for Nigerian outlet Arise News, said: “Coming to Qatar and seeing all this infrastructure is mind-blowing. They have everything we need to make us comfortable. The facility is amazing – great location, great views, nice people, nice culture.”
In addition to providing first-rate facilities, the SC is also working closely with stakeholders to facilitate media interviews and visits for journalists – including to infrastructure projects and cultural attractions.
“Our stakeholders have played a key role in helping Qatar deliver the tournament and we are proud to showcase their work to the thousands of media in the country for the World Cup,” said Al Nuaimi. “This includes hosting press conferences, organising interviews and facilitating visits to key locations. Qatar 2022 is a nation’s story and we are excited to share it with the rest of the world.”
The SC has also developed the Qatar Media Portal (QMP) to support media. The QMP facilitates accreditation and access requests, and provides a wide range of content, including photographs and videos, about host country subjects and human-interest stories.
The HCMC was also built with sustainability in mind. Furniture in the venue was previously used at stadium sites while the facility also features water-efficient fixtures and LED lighting. Plastic-reduction strategies are also being implemented at the venue.
