Leaving a Legacy

Football is the most popular sport in the world. Billions of fans around the world are fervent supporters of the game. In Qatar, football fans are equally as passionate in their love of the game, but in 2022 their excitement will reach an entirely new level. Qatar will play host to the FIFA World Cup. 
The World Cup tournament generates an unparalleled frenzy of excitement. Indeed, it is named as the most-watched sporting event ever. However, the growing anticipation in Qatar for 2022 isn't purely for the games or the thrill of hosting the tournament. Qatar's overarching hope is that hosting the World Cup, in the Middle East and an Arab nation, will deliver a multifaceted legacy that will span borders and last for generations.

The Importance of Legacy

FIFA is a passionate advocate of using football as a platform for change. They have long been vocal about the power of football to bring people together and to have a positive impact on society. This is particularly relevant for mega-events like the World Cup, where billions of people can be influenced and inspired through the tournament.

The World Cup generally lasts for one month, every four years. During which, people from across the globe are brought together to share the experience and celebrate their passion. The short-term benefits of the tournament and the months leading up to it are numerous. There are economic and social benefits across the globe as businesses cash in on the excitement, as fans come together to socialise, and as people are inspired to pick up a ball and get active. But, it is the opportunity to deliver longer-lasting benefits by harnessing the hype and excitement that this event generates, that FIFA is particularly ardent about.

FIFA believe that they and the hosts of the World Cup have a duty to society to leave a legacy from the games that:

• Supports football everywhere around the world and from grassroots up;
• Ensures football is open to everyone regardless of age, gender and means;
• Fosters growth, stimulates employment and boosts innovation;
• Improves the lives of others through the creation of opportunities, and by educating and developing people to take those opportunities;
• Upholds human rights;
• Promotes and inspires healthier behaviour and a healthier world;
• Protects the environment by making the games sustainable and reducing the negative impact of the tournament;
• Brings people together, uniting them against racism and discrimination and encouraging them to respect each other and their differences.

To organise a World Cup that delivers not only tangible, long-lasting benefits, but also less tangible social, economic and environmental legacies, that cross borders and that are inclusive and equitable, is a formidable undertaking. However, from the moment they announced their bid, Qatar has been striving to ensure that the influence of their World Cup reaches far and wide, and beyond the final whistle of the 2022 games.

Delivering Amazing

At Home

The World Cup generates a myriad of opportunities for a host nation to enhance and develop their country alongside the tournament. Qatar is taking the opportunity to use the power of football and sport, and their enhanced global profile, to accelerate their National Vision for the future.

Qatar is delivering the World Cup through in-depth planning, management, cooperation and coordination - locally and internationally; through improvements to local infrastructure - built environment, transportation and communication; and, through a host of projects and programmes which support local lives and livelihoods. Their aim for their country is to encourage new trade and business opportunities, create employment and stimulate innovation, increase tourism, improve the local environment and living standards, and inspire and support healthier lifestyles and social progress.

However, Qatar’s World Cup 2022, is also designed to leave a long-lasting legacy that is felt across the Middle East and further afield - particularly in underdeveloped countries.

And, Away

One of Qatar’s main World Cup goals, aside from getting their team to the finals, is to leave a legacy of unity across the region and between East and West, for a more peaceful and prosperous future. The tournament offers the region a chance to capitalise on having the world’s attention, and to use that opportunity to stand together and promote the positive elements of the Middle East. It is also an opportunity to enhance regional economic development and tourism. By bringing East and West together, cultural differences can be understood, and new bonds of unity and friendship created. And, in the planning and delivery of the World Cup, there also lies a chance to share knowledge and innovation, for investment and business, and in the pursuit of sustainable development.

One of the most worthwhile endeavours of the World Cup is to ensure that the legacy of the games improves lives, especially for those less fortunate or marginalised by society. Through a host of social programmes organised and delivered abroad, and by contributing and building sporting facilities and venues for communities in need, Qatar’s 2022 World Cup legacy is designed to create opportunities for all regardless of age, gender, geography or economics.

Protecting the environment is also a key goal of any FIFA World Cup. Mega-events can inflict enormous negatives impacts on the environment through mass construction and development, increased use of transport, and increased production, consumption and waste. Qatar, through careful planning, innovation, sustainable practices and a commitment to offsetting carbon emissions, aims to host the most environmentally friendly FIFA World Cup ever. Indeed, it is envisaged that the sustainable practices, innovative technologies and stadium designs employed in 2022 will set the benchmark for future tournament and legacy planning.

The legacy of the 2022 games will help to drive Qatar's sustainable future. However, it will also help shape relationships between East and West, improve the lives of others, support a greener future, and influence the future delivery of World Cup tournaments.

Projects and Programmes

Spearheading the delivery of Qatar’s World Cup legacy goals is the National Legacy Committee. Established by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy*, the Legacy Committee is accountable for guiding and advising those involved in the delivery of the World Cup. Their main aim is to ensure that opportunities to leave a lasting legacy are maximised to the benefit of all and support Qatar’s National Vision. The four main categories of the National Vision, human, social, economic and environmental development, are integral to the legacy projects and programmes, and are each supported by an overarching sports development legacy.

Qatar will achieve their legacy goals by designing facets of legacy into each delivery project for the World Cup and through specific legacy programmes.

Click on the links below for an insight into the types of Legacy projects and programmes being delivered as part of the World Cup 2022.

• Human Legacy
• Social Legacy
• Economic Legacy
• Environmental Legacy
• Sports Legacy