With vast experience and diverse careers, our ambassadors come from all around the world. They all share one common goal: harnessing the power of football to create positive social change in Qatar, across the region and around the globe.
We carefully select each of our ambassadors, based upon their natural ability to inform and engage football fans and communities far and wide.
Each ambassador plays a unique role in communicating our vision for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and its legacy programmes.
They embrace the opportunity to bring east and west together by showcasing the beauty of Qatar and the Arab world, the warmth of our people, the richness of our cultural heritage and our abundant hospitality.
Global Ambassadors
Tim Cahill
With 50 goals in 108 international appearances, Tim Cahill is Australia’s all-time leading scorer. He featured at four FIFA World Cup™ tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018) and was the first Australian to score at the finals. At club level, he played in the top domestic leagues in England, Australia, the USA, China and India.
Throughout his 21-year playing career, Cahill continuously sought to expand football’s reach, working with UNICEF and launching the second Football for Schools pilot project in Lebanon. He is also a children’s author, with his Tiny Timmy books selling over 350,000 copies across multiple languages.
‘Using football to make kids smile is a strong motivation, of course; but changing people’s lives through reading, mentorship, skill-building and sharing life lessons – that’s definitely where my passion shines through.’
In his role as an SC ambassador, Cahill will work closely with Generation Amazing, which uses innovative football for development coaching sessions to help underprivileged communities.
Cafu
Former Brazil captain and two-time FIFA World Cup™ winner Cafu lifted more than 20 trophies in a career spanning 18 years. The ex-Roma and AC Milan star also remains the record cap holder for his country, making 148 international appearances, and the only Brazilian player to have played in three consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup™.
As an ambassador for Qatar 2022, he works closely with Josoor Institute, a centre of excellence for the sports and events industries in the Middle East. He passes on his vast experience in sport to the next generation of sports and events professionals, fuelling the rapid growth of these sectors in the region.
‘Football is one of the biggest tools for social inclusion in the world. The football pitch brings people from different cultures together. It connects people that speak different languages; they meet on the pitch, greet each other and laugh together. I believe the legacy Qatar’s World Cup will leave is not only for its own nation but also for people across the globe.’
Education through sport is a subject close to the footballer’s heart. Cafu has already made a mark in Jardim Irene, where he grew up. He has long played an active role in providing education and vocational training in the community. His commitment to giving the next generation the opportunities to succeed, on and off the pitch, makes him an ideal role model and SC Ambassador.
Samuel Eto’o
Former Cameroon international and four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o is one of the most decorated players in world football. He has three UEFA Champions League winners’ medals and won four league titles while playing for FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. Having appeared at four FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, he finished his career playing for Qatar SC.
In his role as an ambassador, he will work closely with our Workers’ Welfare team, supporting their mission to ensure all workers on Qatar 2022 projects are treated with respect and dignity. Our workers’ welfare efforts also set a benchmark for standards around the world, adding to the far-reaching legacy of the tournament.
‘Qatar is building something really special, a tournament that players and fans will remember forever. The World Cup is the biggest competition in football and I think that for the players who have had the chance to play in it, there is nothing more beautiful.’
Away from football, he is making a significant social impact with the Samuel Eto’o Foundation. The foundation builds football academies across Africa, providing young people access to sporting facilities, education and healthcare. Eto’o is also a UN Children’s Goodwill Ambassador.
Xavi Hernández
Ex- FC Barcelona captain Xavi Hernández has won more than 30 major honours throughout his illustrious career – including the biggest prize of all, the FIFA World Cup™. The legendary midfielder joined QNB Stars League side Al Sadd in 2015, where he collected the league title in 2019 and is now the manager.
He’s keenly involved in Generation Amazing – our football for development programme – which uses football to educate and inspire young people, enabling them to make long-lasting social changes in their communities. In 2016, Xavi’s first act as an ambassador was to promote football for girls at a pitch in Al Baqa’a refugee camp in Jordan.
‘The SC is determined to leave a lasting legacy, long after the 2022 World Cup is over. I love helping them deliver real change. It’s easy to believe in the legacy projects when you see for yourself all the good they’re doing.’
Local Ambassadors
Adel Khamis
This former Qatar international is considered one of the best defenders the Maroons have ever had. Adel Khamis represented Qatar in the 1992 Arabian Gulf Cup, helping them to claim the trophy for the first time.
‘I played for the great nation of Qatar for many years, but I never imagined that my beloved country would become a host nation for our sport’s greatest event. Words cannot express my pride, joy and excitement to become a part of this incredible story.’
Ahmad Khalil
Goalkeeper Khalil was a Qatari hero in the 1992 Arabian Gulf Cup. With only one goal conceded throughout the tournament, he was awarded the golden glove award.
‘Representing Qatar at the Olympic Games was an experience I will never forget. I am incredibly proud to become part of the SC ambassador family for the World Cup. I’m looking forward to the next few years, which promise to be an exciting time for us all.’
Ali Al-Habsi
Omani Al-Habsi’s career spans more than 18 years, during which he’s represented Bolton, Wigan, Brighton, Reading and currently West Bromwich, in England. He’s played more than 350 matches, 100 internationals and became the first Arab player to win the FA Cup.
‘I am honoured and delighted to join the SC family as an ambassador. The first World Cup in our region is an enormous source of pride for Omanis, as well as all Arabs. I look forward to playing my part in representing this magnificent occasion.’
Bader Al-Motawaa
This striker is the most-capped player in Kuwait’s history with 177 appearances and is one of the most prominent players in Asia. Al-Motawaa has scored an impressive 237 goals for his club, Qadsia.
‘I am honoured to join the SC’s ambassador programme. Football is part of our culture – for people all across the Middle East. I’m certain Qatar will deliver a tournament that showcases everything our region has to offer.’
Ibrahim Khalfan
Recognised as one of the greatest Qatari footballers of all time, Khalfan has represented his country in 90 international matches. Part of the Qatar team that qualified for the 1984 summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, he is now a highly regarded beIN SPORTS analyst.
‘Qatar 2022 promises to be a magnificent event – not only for the country I represented as a player, but for the entire Arab world. As a player, and now as a broadcaster, I have a lifelong connection with and passion for the game. I couldn’t be happier to have been invited to join the SC family as an ambassador.’
Khalid Salman
Midfielder Salman was a star of the Qatar team that made the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship final. He scored a hat-trick against Brazil in the quarter-final, before Qatar went on to beat England in the semi-finals.
‘The SC is doing the tremendous job of preparing Qatar to host the World Cup. I represented Qatar for many years and becoming an ambassador is a proud moment for me. I’m delighted to be involved with what promises to be its greatest moment.’
Mohammed Aboutrika
Al Ahly and Egypt legend Aboutrika has a full trophy cabinet, having won seven league titles, the Africa Cup of Nations (twice), the CAF Champions League (five times) and many other competitions. He has been a sports analyst at beIN SPORTS since the FIFA World Cup 2014™.
‘The first World Cup to come to the MENA region is special for all of us. I look forward to working closely with the SC over the coming years and, of course, to witnessing the first World Cup in the Arab world in 2022.’
Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari
Mohammed Saadon Al Kuwari is a respected sports journalist and presenter with beIN SPORTS. Known to millions across the Middle East and North Africa, he’s a former professional tennis player on the ATP Tour and a Qatar Davis Cup representative.
‘Like every Qatari national, I remember exactly where I was when we won the right to host the World Cup. To stand here today as an official member of the team, working to ensure the enormous legacy potential of the tournament is realised, is a great responsibility – and a great honour.’
He connects us to Qatar’s communities and is a champion of the SC’s community engagement initiatives – which place people at the centre of everything we do. He understands how the power of sport can affect positive social change and he embodies our vision of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ being a tournament for the whole region.
Mubarak Mostafa
Known as Al-Sinyari, he’s considered one of the best Qatari and Arab players of all time. A two-time winner of the Arabian Gulf Cup, he was top scorer and player of the tournament in 1992 and totted up 34 goals for Qatar.
‘I’m immensely proud to officially become part of Qatar’s World Cup project. When I played for the national team, I could never have dreamt this would be possible – so taking part now feels even more special.’
Wael Gomaa
A three-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Egypt, Wael Gomaa also won the best defender award in each of those tournaments. At club level, he lifted the CAF Champions League trophy a record six times with Al Ahly.
‘I’m certain the entire MENA region will embrace this World Cup and Qatar will prove itself to be more than a worthy host. Seeing the plans, preparations and effort going in to delivering this event, I have no doubt that it will be the greatest tournament yet – one I am proud to be part of.’
Younis Mahmoud
Iraqi striker Mahmoud – who collected 148 international caps – played for several clubs in Qatar, making him a well-known name in the country. In 2007, he won the Asian Cup with Iraq, netting the most goals in the tournament and picking up the best player award.
‘As a proud Iraqi national, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that the FIFA World Cup would be coming to our region for the first time. Now, nine years later, becoming part of this journey is an incredible moment for me.’
