Fresh off hosting the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has officially entered discussions to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, joining the race alongside Indonesia, Turkey, India, and Chile.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee, emphasized the country’s readiness and long-term commitment:
“We have made sport a central pillar of our national strategy. Today, we aspire to elevate that role regionally and globally by presenting a new model—one that reflects the diversity of our region and celebrates its authentic human values.”
According to Sheikh Al-Thani, 95% of the necessary infrastructure is already in place, backed by a comprehensive national plan that prioritizes social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Qatar’s growing portfolio of major sporting events includes the upcoming ISSF World Shooting Championship in 2026, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027, and the Asian Games in 2030—all underscoring its emergence as a global sporting hub. The 2022 World Cup, which drew over 1.4 million visitors, gave a major boost to the country’s economy and infrastructure.
While Germany, Italy, South Korea, Denmark, Canada, and Egypt have also shown interest in hosting the 2036 Games, Qatar’s early investment in legacy infrastructure and its proven event-hosting capability may offer it a competitive edge.
The next two editions of the Summer Olympics are set for Los Angeles (2028) and Brisbane (2032).
Source: agbi.com
