FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Coaches Forum Provides Feedback, Makes Suggestions

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Coaches Forum

Doha hosted a two-day Coaches Forum organized by the FIFA with the participation of the head coaches from the member associations who participated in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to exchange views on competition and refereeing matters.

FIFA invited the national team coaches and technical directors from the member associations which took part in the FIFA World Cup 2022 to provide their feedback on the tournament and make suggestions looking forward to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the forum was a chance for the coaches to talk about the next FIFA World Cup in 2026, adding: "We had the best FIFA World Cup ever in Qatar, but we always want to do better.... We are already organizing the next World Cup which will be played in completely different conditions, (with) distances and travel." The FIFA President, expressing his honor at having so many national team coaches and technical directors together in the same room, said he recognized the role that coaches play, as well as the pressure and hopes they carry on their shoulders.

"From everyone in football, those who I definitely have a very, very high admiration for are yourselves because if there is anyone who understands pressure, who understands emotions, who understands the feelings that football generates, it is definitely all of you," Infantino said. "You represent countries, you represent populations, you represent all these emotions. We have seen the hopes, the joy, the tears. At the end of the World Cup, at the end of four years leading to a World Cup, there is one world champion out of FIFA's 211 countries." The FIFA President congratulated the coaches for a unique World Cup. "In addition to my admiration, you have my gratitude on behalf of the entire FIFA team, all football fans in the world and all those who love the game," he said, remembering that before the FIFA World Cup, FIFA had asked the teams to make people feel special. He thanked them for making Qatar's edition the best tournament in the competition's history.

The forum included an interview with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who explained some of the details that helped the South American team win their third world title. Scaloni told the forum about recovering from the 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match, their ability to switch tactics from game to game, getting the best out of Lionel Messi and the importance of practicing penalties. He also explained why having a good atmosphere in the squad could make a difference in such a finely-balanced competition.

During the forum, the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG), headed by FIFA's Chief of Global Development Arsene Wenger, presented its analysis of the FIFA World Cup 2022 while the coaches were given the chance to provide their feedback and insights in an informal environment.

For the coaches, it was an invaluable chance to meet and talk to their peers in a relaxed environment away from the pressures of competition.

(QNA)