US mayors laud Qatar's World Cup preparations

Qatar has done “a phenomenal job” in its preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, from building state-of-the-art stadiums and infrastructure to addressing some of the biggest challenges, three US mayors who are visiting the country have said.“I couldn't imagine preparing for the World Cup in a situation where all stadiums are so close to one another, all crowds are so close to one another, and the complexities that arise out of preparing for something like that: from the infrastructure to the food to water to shelter, you name it, there are so many complexities that come in the play.“I have the utmost confidence a Qatar is gonna be able to pull it off unlike anybody else could have in a situation like that,” Arlington city mayor Jim Ross told Gulf Times on the sidelines of their visit to Qatar.He was with mayors Bryan Barnett (Rochester Hills) and Mike Duggan (Detroit) during a tour at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday. The delegation also met with ministers and high-ranking Qatari officials, and took part in a number of forums and activities in the country.Ross, echoing earlier Duggan’s view, said that the prospect of a small country like Qatar being able to host a World Cup within such close proximity is exceptional.“We've been able to tour one of the stadiums and see what an incredible job not just in getting things done, but also the technological aspects of an open-air stadium, in keeping everybody cool, that is something that's just unheard of.“My city is a finalist for the World Cup in 2026, so I was especially interested in that. We got the tour in one of the new stadiums (and museums) and met with a number of government officials to see how everything is done, from waste management to infrastructure, you name it, and it is very exciting,” he said, adding they also saw Qatar’s stunning architecture and how the city operates.According to Duggan, the US can learn enormous lessons from Qatar, which can efficiently manage several issues such as transportation and construction.He also finds the disassembling of the stadiums after the tournament and use its parts elsewhere as impressive and calls it “a visionary approach”.For Barnett, Qatar’s ability to finish the infrastructure needed for the World Cup way ahead of schedule is extraordinary, apart from executing a good plan to address other concerns such as transportation.He stressed that the people of Qatar are very excited to host such a prestigious tournament and show the world what they prepared and created.“I know they want everyone to have a wonderful experience and feel the Qatari hospitality that's so world-renowned,” Barnett said.