Following the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar are keen to host a British and Irish Lions Test in 2025.
The latest edition of football’s ultimate extravaganza began under a cloud of controversy due to the human rights record of the Middle eastern nation and its stance on members of the LGBTQ+ community . On the pitch, fans were treated to some pulsating action which culminated in arguably the greatest World Cup final in history.
Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the sport’s most coveted trophy as his Argentina side defeated a valiant Kylian Mbappe -inspired French team on penalties. This marked the South American country’s first World Cup win since the late Diego Maradona inspired his nation to victory in 1986.
Qatar certainly did its best to enhance its reputation especially in the sporting world, and as they bid to keep the momentum going, they want to host another sporting showpiece. According to the Mail, the Qatar Rugby Federation’s bid to host the Lions involves a one-off game in preparation for the series in Australia in three years’ time.
The British and Irish Lions last played a three-match series against South Africa in August 2021. After the Lions won the first game 22-17, the Springboks bounced back to win the next two by the scorelines of 27-9 and 19-16 respectively.
Bids for a regular slot on the World Sevens Series and an attempt to host the Sevens World Cup are also on the agenda. The Sevens World Cup is held every four years, with Fiji winning the men's competition and Australia claiming the women's title in Cape Town earlier this year.
As they attempt to put plans in motion, Qatar Rugby Federation have also opened talks with the World Cup Supreme Organising Committee about gaining regular access to one of the tournament's eight supreme World Cup stadiums. Qatar reportedly feel the success of the World Cup proved they can stage the biggest international events in the country.
Sporting ambitions in Qatar continue to rise as the Arab Cup is set to be held there in early 2024, and there is a possibility of an Olympic bid.
Next year F1 will return for the first of 10 annual Grand Prix events and one of the World Cup stadiums will be converted to host women's sport.
