With the world gearing up for the FIFA World Cup football extravaganza, the host nation plans to commemorate the blue-ribbon event in more ways than one. The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) held a special event to unveil the commemorative 22 Qatari Riyal (QAR) banknotes and coins of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The event was attended by QCB’s Governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani, Secretary General at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and other important dignitaries and Qatari officials.
During his opening speech Sheikh Al Thani said that the banknotes and coins celebrate Qatar’s efforts and dedication in hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab region. “The new currency is a source of pride for all, a support for the country’s efforts to successfully host the World Cup, and an affirmation of the unity and integration of various public and private sector entities in the country,” he elaborates.
The governor also highlighted the strategic collaboration between QCB, the SC, and FIFA to issue the unique and historical commemorative banknote that bears the official logo of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the FIFA World Cup trophy, as well as the images of Al Bayt Stadium on one side and Lusail Stadium, the World Cup’s flagship venue, on the other. Also found in the banknote’s background are images of Qatar’s national emblem, a modern skyline, a dhow, and the Zubarah Fort, a historic Qatari military fortress.
In a presentation, Sheikh Al Thani highlighted the process of creating the banknote – a reflection of Qatar’s cultural heritage and football history. It is also the first commemorative banknote produced by the central lender using polymer.
