DOHA: In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, along with a delegation of ministers, has reached Qatar to attend the colorful opening ceremony of the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2022.
According to Saudi state media, crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was accompanied by various ministers, including Minister for Energy, Interior Minister, Foreign Minister, Commerce Minister, Investment Minister, and the kingdom’s senior officials to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Prince Mohammed Ensures Support to Qatar for Hosting FIFA World Cup 2022
Prince Mohammed also ordered all government ministries and agencies “to provide any additional support or facilities required by Qatar” to host the event, the sports ministry said in a statement without providing details.
In June 2017, Prince Mohammed orchestrated a regional blockade of Qatar soon after becoming the first in line to the throne.
Saudi Arabia, UAE Bahrain, and Egypt Cut Ties with Qatar
Following Prince Mohammed’s steps, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain cut relations with Qatar over allegations that Doha is supporting extremists and maintaining close ties with Iran, although Qatar denied the allegations.
In January 2021, during the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, the quartet agreed to lift the restrictions.
Immediately, it was not clear how long the Saudi crown prince intended to stay in Qatar.
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Saudi Arabia to Play First Group Match in FIFA World Cup 2022 Against Argentina
Saudi Arabia is scheduled to play its first group match in the World Cup against Argentina on Tuesday. The kingdom is putting on 240 flights a week to Qatar, up from six usually, and easing overland travel to attract tens of thousands of football fans attending the World Cup, the Saudi tourism minister told AFP last month.
