Danny Allsopp’s experience with Qatar football has convinced him the country is up to hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Allsopp has just re-signed with Melbourne Victory after leaving Australia’s A-League 16 months ago for Qatari club Al-Rayyan.
He spent several months playing in the rich gulf state, which controversially won the right to host the 2022 World Cup from a field of bidders including Australia and the United States.
Allsopp says Qatar will be able to cope with the demands of hosting a World Cup, including the construction of enough air-conditioned stadia so that players and fans can handle the intense heat.
“If they want something badly enough, they go and get it. There’s plenty of things they can do,” Allsopp said.
“As unfortunate as it is for Australia to miss out, they’ll probably do a good job.
“They can certainly make the stadiums air-conditioned, but they’re going to have to do something for the fans because of the heat at that time of year (June-July).”
Allsopp scored six goals in 12 games for Al-Rayyan before the club released him to join DC United in the United States’ Major League Soccer competition.
On Friday, the 32-year-old rejoined the Victory – the club he helped to two A-League grand final wins – until the end of the 2012-13 season.
Qatar will host teams including the Socceroos for the Asian Cup finals from January 7 – an event which will put in sharp focus the nation’s ability to stage a major football tournament.
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