Qatar World Cup head say blockade poses 'no risk' to event
LONDON (AP) - Qatar World Cup organizers say they are overcoming the obstacles to construction posed by the regional blockade and insist there is "no risk" to the FIFA tournament being staged in 2022.
The energy-rich nation's land border and its air and sea routes have been closed off for four months since Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates launched an economic boycott.
Qatar World Cup secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi tells The Associated Press on Friday that "contingency plans" have been activated, with alternative supply chains put in place to ensure stadium construction continues in the Gulf nation.
FILE- In this May 14, 2010 file photo, a Qatari woman walks in front of the city skyline in Doha, Qatar. The U.S. military says it has halted some military exercises with Gulf countries over the ongoing diplomatic dispute targeting Qatar. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
Al Thawadi says there is "no risk in relation to the hosting of the World Cup," maintaining that "some minimal increase" in costs has been absorbed.