Doha: Qatari newspapers highlighted the lasting impact of the legacy established by Qatar following its successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They emphasized that the participation of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) in securing the 2026 World Cup matches reflects the growing international confidence in Qatari expertise and underscores the country's status as a global model for organizing and securing major sporting events.
According to Qatar News Agency, the editorials also focused on developments in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli bombardment, stressing that peace and stability in the region remain contingent upon achieving a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and ending the suffering of the Palestinian people in accordance with international law.
For their part, Al-Raya newspaper praised Qatar's resounding success in organizing the 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing it as the most innovative, professional, and secure edition of the tournament, setting a benchmark for security management of major international sporting events. The newspaper noted that Qatar's World Cup was conducted without any major security incidents, organizational failures, or significant fan dissatisfaction, prompting many countries to seek lessons from Qatar's experience and accumulated expertise.
The newspaper said that the participation of Qatar's security task force, Lekhwiya, in securing the 2026 World Cup builds on the expertise gained during Qatar's hosting. It also reflects the level of cooperation between Qatar and the host countries, as well as the mutual exchange of successful experiences in event security and crowd management.
The paper added that the value of Qatar's legacy is increasingly evident through the growing reliance of countries and international institutions on Qatari expertise in securing major sporting events, with the experience developed in Doha evolving into a practical model for nations preparing to host global events. Al-Raya concluded by emphasizing that the participation of the Qatari force in securing the current World Cup matches, particularly in Canada, was widely welcomed. This reflects the high level of trust placed in Qatari security personnel and the distinguished reputation Lekhwiya has earned, reinforcing its position as a reliable partner in securing major international sporting events.
Similarly, Al-Arab newspaper noted that the participation of the Qatari task force from the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) in securing the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, comes within the framework of international recognition of Qatari expertise in securing major tournaments and events and its world-leading position in security organizations for major international sporting events.
The newspaper noted that Qatar's security achievements, particularly during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its participation in securing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, have reinforced this reputation and established Qatar's security system as a model in crowd management and major-event security, enhancing Lekhwiya's international presence. These participations, it added, come within the framework of joint security cooperation agreements, becoming an instrumental soft power tool, in addition to its role in enhancing the safety and security of fans and players at major international tournaments.
Al-Arab concluded its editorial by praising the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in strengthening the State of Qatar's position as an active international partner in the field of security and safety, and in developing cooperation and exchanging expertise with security agencies in friendly countries.