Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola is to become an ambassador for the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, it has been announced.
Guardiola, whose team won the 2009 UEFA 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 season. “I am very pleased to be representing Qatar’s 2022 World Cup Bid,” Guardiola said.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
As an ambassador, Guardiola will attend events to voice his support for Qatar’s World Cup ambitions and joins a high profile list of Qatar ambassadors including World Cup legends Gabriel Batistuta, Ronald De Boer, Roger Milla, Sami Al Jaber and Bora Milutinovic.
Guardiola captained Barcelona for his last four years at the club before moving on to Brescia, AS Roma and Al Ahli in Qatar. Upon his switch to coaching he won six trophies in his first season in charge at Barcelona.
Qatar’s Bid Committee CEO Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi said: “We are honoured to work together with Josep to bring the World Cup to Qatar in 2022. Both as a player and as a coach he has been the personification of dedication and passion on the football pitch.”
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