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FA sign agreement that could see England play friendlies against World Cup hosts Qatar

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26:  Greg Clarke, Chairman of The FA looks on prior to the FA Youth Cup Final, second leg between Chelsea and Mancherster City at S
Image: FA chairman Greg Clarke was in Doha to agree the deal with the Qatar FA

The FA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar FA that could see England play friendlies against the 2022 World Cup hosts.

Greg Clarke, the FA chairman, was part of a touring party that visited Doha to discuss a "knowledge-sharing partnership", and as part of the agreement, both FAs have committed to exploring the possibility of arranging friendlies across age groups.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter names Qatar as the winning hosts of the 2022 World Cup finals
Image: Former-FIFA president Sepp Blatter unveiled the decision to award Qatar the hosting rights to the 2022 World Cup

Clarke said: "The FA is pleased to commit to this knowledge-sharing partnership with the Qatar Football Association. We have a long history of collaboration with various national associations to share knowledge and experience to support the development of football.

"For Qatar, developing the game across the country is a key objective as they approach the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022."

Qatar, whose national side are ranked 103rd in the world, were awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup by FIFA in 2010.

That decision was described by then-FA chairman Greg Dyke as "the worst moment in FIFA's history".

FA chairman Greg Dyke criticised Jose Mourinho for not apologising to Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro.
Image: Former-FA chairman Greg Dyke was highly critical of the decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar - a country that has never qualified for the tournament

However, Ajay Sharma, the British ambassador to Qatar who was also in Doha, said this is just the start of the cooperation between the two countries ahead of the tournament.

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Sharma said: "I am delighted that the English Football Association has signed MoUs with the Qatar Football Association and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy during the visit to Doha of the FA chairman Greg Clarke.

"This will mark the beginning of even deeper cooperation between our two countries, and underlines the UK's support for Qatar in delivering a successful World Cup 2022."

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