By Gary Al-Smith, Doha, Qatar
On the sidelines of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, an Observation Programme has commenced in Doha, bringing together 55 officials from football associations around the world for a five-day technical immersion designed to showcase Qatar’s expertise in staging major sporting events.
Organised by the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Qatar Football Association, the programme offers participants hands-on exposure to tournament operations across critical functional areas, including ticketing, medical services, security coordination, venue management and commercial rights delivery.
Delegates will also tour key sites such as stadiums, training complexes, the Main Media Centre and the accreditation hub.
“We created this programme because federations worldwide have been eager to learn from Qatar’s success in hosting world-class events,” said LOC CEO Jassim Al Jassim.
“Sharing our expertise is central to our commitment to building a legacy that extends far beyond any single event.”
Since hosting the widely acclaimed FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar has continued to reinforce its status as a global sports destination.
The country has staged the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and recently broke new ground by hosting the first-ever 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, in which all 104 matches were played at a single venue.
Qatar is also hosting the final three matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 during the rest days of the Arab Cup, demonstrating its ability to efficiently manage overlapping tournaments.
Participants say the programme is offering invaluable insights.
“It’s great to be in Qatar and be part of this knowledge-sharing opportunity,” said Natasha Al Naber, Competitions Officer at the West Asian Football Federation. “Understanding how multiple stakeholders work together here will help us enhance tournaments in our region.”
For Norman Gwangwadza, Head of Finance and Administration at the Zimbabwe Football Association, the experience has underscored the importance of operational alignment.
“Planning is key. Procurement, transportation and resource management are areas where Qatar excels, and I hope to apply these lessons back home,” he said.
Edna Nisola of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association said the programme has deepened her understanding of fan-engagement strategies.
“This has given me a fresh perspective on how Qatar consistently delivers exceptional fan experiences,” she noted.
The LOC also recently hosted delegations from the organising committees of the FIFA World Cup Saudi Arabia 2034 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, as Qatar continues to serve as a regional and global reference point for sports event delivery.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 continues in Doha this week, with the Observation Programme running alongside tournament operations.
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