Emir of Qatar says sports can play role in 'building bridges' between peoples

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Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, said Tuesday that sports can play a role in uniting different peoples and cultures across the world.

At the United Nations General Assembly, Sheikh Tamim touted the "tremendous potentials and opportunities" that belong to his small Arab country, which hosted the soccer World Cup last fall. 

"During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there was an opportunity for interaction between peoples, and it was an opportunity for the world to see our people as they are and to learn about our culture and values," Sheikh Tamim said, calling Qatar a "global destination and nexus between East and West." 

"We emphasized the role that sports could play in building bridges of communication and rapprochement between peoples and cultures," he continued. "I hope we had contributed through this tournament to breaking the stereotypes and presenting a new, exciting and safe tournament to the world." 

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Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, 2023. Sheikh Tamim said sports can be a unifying force for peoples with different cultures and backgrounds. (Fox News)

Qatar, an approximately 4,500 square mile peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia, made history last year when it hosted the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in November and December. It was the first time the soccer tournament was held entirely in the Middle East and the second time it's ever been held entirely in Asia. 

FOX Sports held the exclusive U.S. broadcast rights for the 2022 World