(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar's World Cup football organisers said Wednesday that recent events at FIFA would "not impact" on the country's preparations for its hosting of the controversial 2022 tournament.

In its first direct statement about football's governing body since Tuesday's resignation of long-time president Sepp Blatter, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said: "The recent events at FIFA will not impact on our preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

The committee said it was "ahead of schedule" as work had begun on five of the stadiums which will be used during the tournament.

It also added that it was used to attacks on its hosting of the World Cup.

"Qatar has faced criticism from the moment we won the right to bring this tournament to the Middle East for the first time.

"We remain committed to using the World Cup as a platform to break down prejudice and misconceptions, while leaving a lasting legacy for our country and the rest of the region."

"No way Qatar will lose 2022"

Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah said on Wednesday that there was "no way" Qatar would be stripped of its right to host the 2022 World Cup because it deserved to win and had the best bid.
"It is very difficult for some to digest that an Arab Islamic country has this tournament, as if this right can't be for an Arab state," the Minister told Reuters in an interview in Paris.
"I believe it is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar," he added.
When asked if they could lose the right to host the tournament, Al-Attiyah said: "No way Qatar can be stripped (of it). We are confident of the procedures and deserve to win it because we presented the best file."
He also said Qatar would be able to prove it had done no wrong when the time came.