Mascherano: Great Times Waiting Fans and Players During the World Cup

Javier Mascherano, former captain of the Argentine national football team and ambassador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said that great times will be waiting for fans during the highly anticipated global event, expressing his enthusiasm for attending the events of the closely-spaced tournament, which will ensure that players enjoy a unique experience that enhances their performance on the grounds of world-class stadiums during the World Cup, which Qatar will host in a few weeks.

In an interview with (Qatar2022.qa), Mascherano praised Qatar's preparations to host the first edition of the FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world and the Middle East, stressing that fans from around the world are on a date with an amazing experience in a safe country, which has wonderful weather in November and December, which ensures enjoyment of matches, visits to tourist destinations and amazing natural landmarks, in addition to learning about the culture and traditions of the country hosting the event.

The Argentine star talked about the timing of hosting the tournament, from November 20 to December 18, and the positive impact of that on the players’ performance in the matches, and said: “The players will participate in the tournament while they are in full physical fitness, as the competitions will be held in the middle of the football season in the major European leagues, Therefore, we will see the players with a distinct level of energy and vitality, compared to the previous editions of the tournament, whose matches were held in June and July, after the end of a long and exhausting football season for the players.

On the importance of the World Cup to the region, which is witnessing the global event for the first time, in light of his participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in the first edition of the tournament on the African continent, Mascherano said that football is the most popular sport in the world, and everyone's favorite game, Therefore, it is great for Qatar to host the first World Cup in the region because giving countries the opportunity to organize such a historic event in regions that they have not seen before is a very important step.”

The former captain of the Argentine national team said that Qatar has succeeded in consolidating its position in the global sports scene in recent years, as it won the Asian Football Cup 2019 title, for the first time in its history, and participated in continental competitions around the world, noting that the Qatari team showed high efficiency in different competitions such as the Copa America in Brazil 2019, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States in 2021, his participation in the World Cup represents a great challenge for the Qatari team, and his good preparation should be reflected in his performance during the tournament competitions.

Mascherano, who played for Barcelona, Liverpool, and West Ham United, confirmed the strength and popularity of football and its ability to unite individuals and peoples, stressing the importance of the game as a tool that unites everyone under its banner, regardless of religious or cultural affiliation.