(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
#qatar 2022 The Peninsula
Doha: Legendary former players Marcel Desailly and Yaya Toure have praised every aspect of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – including the exciting action on the pitch, family-friendly atmosphere and vast array of entertainment options.
Desailly, a FIFA World Cup winner with France in 1998, said the compact nature of the event was proving a huge benefit for fans and players.
“In the group stage, we had four matches almost every day and it was amazing – fans were going to two games a day and really enjoying the atmosphere and the fact everything is close by. I'm very pleased by what I've seen so far – the intensity of games has been high and the organisation has been superb. It's going to be the best World Cup ever,” said Desailly, who won 116 caps for France.
Toure, who played in three editions of the FIFA World Cup for the Ivory Coast, said Saudi Arabia's upset win over Argentina was his stand-out moment so far.
“It was an unbelievable game. My ex-coach, Hervé Renard, from my time with the national team, produced something special with Saudi Arabia,” said Toure.
“Every tournament, you always have an underdog that comes in and makes a big impression, so I'm pleased that Saudi Arabia achieved that as a team from the Arab world.”
Desailly also praised the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Al Bidda Park, which has been hosting up to 40,000 supporters daily throughout the tournament.
“I was there for the official opening of the festival and there was a lot of joy among the fans in attendance,” said Desailly.“It's a wonderful facility – and one that brings joy and happiness, which is what football is all about.”
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