MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Qatar Airways, the FIFA official airline through the year 2022

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker and FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura at the official signing ceremony of the new sponsorship

A new partnership between FIFA and the Qatar state-run airlines was announced. As part of the agreement Qatar Airways will be an Official Partner and the Official Airline for the world soccer body. The 2017 and 2021 Confederation Cups and the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are included in the partnership. The 2022 World Cup will be hosted by Qatar.

 FIFA said that the agreement is the “largest in the history of Qatar Airways,” according to a release. FIFA Secretary General Fatima Samoura affirmed the body was “delighted” to partner with “the world’s fastest-growing airline.”

“Known for introducing industry firsts, Qatar Airways is an ideal partner for FIFA as we prepare for the first-ever World Cup in the Gulf region, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,” Samoura said.

“We look forward to working hand in hand with Qatar Airways to promote FIFA competitions and football around the world.“

In related news it was announced Mahfuza Kiron will represent the Asian Football Confederation on the FIFA Council as a woman’s representative, as part of AFC elections.

Kiron, who hails from Bangladesh, ascended from the AFC Executive Committee to the FIFA council by a 27-17 vote over incumbent Moya Dodd, from Australia. Dodd served on the FIFA Council and its previous iteration the FIFA Executive Committee.

The AFC elected four total members to the FIFA Council, with Zhang Jian from China, Chung Mong Gyu from South Korea and Mariano V. Araneta Jr. from the Philippines filling out the elections. All three male candidates ran unopposed.

Questions for Kiron came after the election highlighting the relative inexperience of her candidacy. Dodd has been an outspoken advocate for women’s football and seen as the expected choice to retain her seat.