The French President assured his support to Qatar as the two countries continue to share positive relations.

"In a world facing a series of crises, we must protect the spirit of sport," Macron wrote on Twitter.

"This football World Cup, the first organised in an Arab country, is a sign of tangible changes underway.

"Qatar is headed in this direction.

"It must continue, and it can count on our support.

"To all the teams and nations represented: with every goal scored, cheers of joy reverberate around the world.

"So let's cheer together!"

Earlier this month, Macron had said that sport should not be politicised and dismissed suggestions he should boycott travelling to the host nation to watch France if they reach the latter stages of the tournament.

The ties date back to 1972 when Qatar established its first foreign Embassy in France.

UEFA President Michel Platini is said to have played a key role in Qatar ending up with the 2022 World Cup hosting rights in 2010.

Platini has admitted to having lunch with then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar and then an International Olympic Committee member, in November 2010, less than a fortnight before the FIFA vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts.

He said he understood Sarkozy wanted him to vote for Qatar but Platini has denied that he was influenced.

His old FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter, with whom he was cleared of corruption charges earlier this year, alleged he was told by Platini, that Sarkozy had told him to change his vote from the United States to Qatar.

Blatter also claimed that three European FIFA Executive Committee members switched their votes to Qatar.

After the country's victory in the vote, its sovereign fund Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) bought Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain in 2011 and have since turned them into one of Europe's best teams.