Qatar announces candidacy for 2018 football World Cup

Qatar on Monday announced its intention to bid to host the football World Cup in 2018 and, should that fail, the 2022 edition of football’s global showpiece event.

“I can confirm that the Qatar football federation has today sent a letter to FIFA in which it officially declared its candidacy for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups,” federation secretary general Saud al-Muhanadi told AFP.

FIFA started reception of bids for the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups earlier this month. All the interested national federations will have to make their bids before February 2, 2009.

Among other countries who have officially bid are England, Spain and Portugal in a joint bid, and Belgium and the Netherlands, also in a joint bid.

Other interested countries, according to FIFA, are Japan, China, Mexico, the United States, Russia, Australia and Canada.

FIFA, football’s world governing body, will name the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.

Gas-rich Qatar failed in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics but successfully hosted the 2006 Asian Games and will host the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament.