World Cup: UAE open to co-hosting World Cup if Qatar rift resolved

United Arab Emirates sports chief Mohammed Khalfan al-Romaithi believes the Gulf nation would welcome an approach to co-host the 2022 World Cup if its deep political rift with Qatar is resolved.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino too had suggested that neighbouring countries could host matches.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, however, launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017. The countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, which it denies.

There have been few signs of an end to the region's deepest rift in years, which Saudi Arabia and the UAE have said is not a priority. Qatar has said it would like to resolve the crisis, but does not need to.

"If the problem is solved I think the UAE would welcome the World Cup here, a group or two for example; we would be more than happy to help the Qataris", al-Romaithi added.