The former captain of Argentina, Javier Mascheranois very excited about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is eager to see how the compact nature of the tournament will boost performance on the pitch.
The 38-year-old former defensive midfielder has participated in four World Cups with the Albiceleste, including the 2014 final. In total, he was capped 147 times for his country and scored three goals.
With Qatar 2022 on the horizon, the FIFA World Cup™️ Ambassador gave his thoughts on this year’s tournament, which kicks off at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20 when hosts Qatar take on Ecuador.
The longest distance between stadiums is only 75 km in Qatar. How will this compactness benefit players and fans during the World Cup?
This makes things easier from a logistical point of view. Fans can attend more than one game in a day and players don’t have to travel from one city to another. They will be in one place throughout the tournament, which will make it easier to concentrate on training and recovery. This is very positive for the players.
How will this year’s World Cup schedule (November 20-December 18) help the players?
Many of the players are coming in more recently, as they are only halfway through their club season. We will see players with a different energy level than in previous tournaments. Hopefully the players can perform at a higher level, which will be exciting for the fans.
You played in South Africa 2010, the first tournament in Africa. Qatar 2022 is the first World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world, how important is it for the region?
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It belongs to everyone. It’s great that the Middle East is hosting its first World Cup. It is important to give new countries the opportunity to host these types of events.
What can Argentina fans expect when they arrive in Qatar?
Qatar is a country that invites you to come and have fun. The weather in November and December will be very safe and beautiful. This is a great opportunity for Argentina fans to learn about the history and culture of this country and this region.
You have played in four World Cups, what does the tournament mean to you?
The World Cup is always special. For a footballer, this is the pinnacle. Some of my best memories are when I was playing for Argentina.
Argentina secured the place for Qatar 2022 in November. With such a talented squad, what do you expect from the Albiceleste in this World Cup?
We have a very competitive team and winning the Copa América last year was a very important achievement. I am confident that we can make an impact in this World Cup.
Of the other South American qualifiers, which teams do you think will make an impact in Qatar?
Brazil is always one of the favorites because of its history. They have a very competitive team. Uruguay is a scary team, and Ecuador has done very well recently. I hope the four qualifiers from South America do well in Qatar.
What do you think of the host country, Qatar, and its preparations for this World Cup?
Qatar has done very well in recent years and it showed when they won the Asian Cup. They played in tournaments like Copa América and showed that they are a good team. The World Cup is a big challenge and they need to show all the work they have done to prepare for this competition.
What do you think the power of football to bring people together?
Football is a cultural tool that unites us all, regardless of your religion or culture. It is a very inclusive sport and an outlet to bring the world together, which is more important than ever in the current state of things around the world.
Source: La Verdad
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