World Cup to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates next year

This very attractive destination will welcome the participants of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The championship will take place next year from 28 April to 6 May in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Ras al-Khaimah, the capital of the emirate of the same name.

The World Federation of Small-Sided Football has chosen Ras al-Khaimah in competition with several world capitals such as Manila in the Philippines and Budapest in Hungary.

“I am thrilled to announce that the 2023 tournament will be held in Ras al-Khaimah, which is a very attractive destination for many reasons. It was also chosen because of its impressive tourism offering, it offers easy access for participating teams and fans, and importantly its commitment to promoting our sport.

The 2023 World Cup will put grassroots football in the spotlight in the UAE and highlight its positive contribution to the development of society,” enthuses World Federation of Grassroots Football President Filip Juda.

Ras Al Khaimah has long been a major organiser of international sporting events including the world’s fastest half marathon, which attracts over five thousand participants annually, the UAE Tour road cycling stage race around the UAE, as well as prestigious golf events on the DP World Tour and European Tour.

Next year will see the addition of the pinnacle event of small-sided football. “Hosting the 2023 World Cup is another milestone in our strategy to promote Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for major sporting events and we would like to thank the World Federation of Small-Sided Football for selecting the emirate to host this prestigious tournament in competition with many cities around the world.

We consider this a great victory for the community not only in Ras al Khaimah but also in the UAE and the wider Middle East region and we have the full support of all parties involved in organising it. We believe this will be the biggest community involvement in the history of the World Cup,” said Raki Phillips, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Twenty-four national teams will descend on the UAE next year, including the Czech national team that won the 2017 World Cup in Tunisia. The last world championship was held in 2019 in Perth, Australia, where the Czech team crashed out in the quarter-finals.

Last year, Kiev, Ukraine, was supposed to host the World Championships, but due to a coronavirus pandemic and then war with Russia, the tournament was postponed. In 2023, it will be held on the Asian continent for the first time.