As part of their security cooperation, Turkey will apparently take part in securing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha. Turkish companies are also involved in other preparations for the games. The decision to involve Turkey in managing security at the games was taken during the Qatari emir's visit to Turkey in November 2018, and an agreement to this effect was signed at the fourth meeting of the Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee, held that month in Ankara. (Since then Qatar has also signed deals to involve other countries, including France[82] and Spain,[83] in the security efforts). According to the agreement with Turkey, a joint operations headquarters will be established, utilizing the existing Turkish military base in Qatar, to handle the World Cup security efforts.[84] It was further reported that Qatari forces securing the games are to be equipped with Turkish weapons, which will necessitate dispatching Turkish experts to train them in their use.[85] Also discussed at the meeting of the High Strategic Committee was the need to establish additional channels of communication, especially for exchanging information and experts as part of securing the World Cup.[86] In preparations for the games, 15 Qatari police officers participated in a four-week training course at the Special Forces Academy in Izmir.[87] They were trained in securing sports matches and handling riots.[88]
Police officers training in Turkey in preparation for the World Cup (Source: aa.com.tr, October 21, 2019)
Qatar's Ambassador to Turkey, Salem Mubarak Aal Shafi, told Qatar's Al-Sharq daily in October 2019 that Turkish companies were involved in infrastructure mega-projects for the 2022 World Cup.[89] Turkish Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci said in the same context that the Turkish companies were excited about the games, and quoted Qatari Prime Minister 'Abdallah bin Nasser Aal Thani as saying that these companies would be given special priority in tenders.[90]
Y. Carmon is the President of MEMRI; C. Meital is Senior analyst.
