FIFA has welcomed 180 participants to its Observer Programme at the World Cup in Qatar ©FIFA

FIFA has claimed that its Observer Programme offers future World Cup organisers an "invaluable insight into how its done" as 180 people have taken part in the initiative during the competition in Qatar.

The three-day programme saw participants visit numerous sites including the accreditation centre, volunteers centre, tournament headquarters, stadiums, the international broadcaster centre, the main media centre, FIFA fan festival and training sites.

"The Observer Programme is a key component of every FIFA World Cup and aims to provide people involved in the organisation of future editions of men's and women's tournaments, as well as the wider football community, with a deeper understanding of what it takes to successfully deliver the greatest show on earth," said Colin Smith, FIFA's chief operating officer for the World Cup.

"There have been many productive exchanges here in Doha, so we trust that participants will leave Qatar with new thoughts, impressions, ideas, as well as a greater appreciation of the magnitude of this event.

"This knowledge will support the participants as they contribute to the planning and delivery of their own events and forthcoming FIFA tournaments."

The observers came from the 2023 Women's World Cup and 2026 World Cup Organising Committees, including representatives from host cities, stadium authorities, and the local FIFA subsidiary.

Participants in the FIFA Observer Programme in Qatar visited stadiums, the accreditation centre, the volunteers centre, tournament headquarters, the international broadcaster centre, the main media centre, FIFA fan festival and training sites ©FIFA
Participants in the FIFA Observer Programme in Qatar visited stadiums, the accreditation centre, the volunteers centre, tournament headquarters, the international broadcaster centre, the main media centre, FIFA fan festival and training sites ©FIFA

It is hoped that, in addition to providing an overview of what is required to stage such an event, the Observer Programme can inspire new ideas which can be applied to future tournaments.

Houston Sports Authority chief executive Janis Burke called it "such a rewarding experience".

The city is due to stage matches when then 2026 World Cup is held across the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

"Through the Observer Programme we received a comprehensive, big-picture lens of a FIFA World Cup," said Jenny Mann, general manager for acquisition and development at Events South Australia, a host city participant linked to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup set to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

"All different elements including stadiums, accommodation, transport, spectator services, and media were covered, and now we can work on how we tailor the information and experiences from Qatar to the FIFA Women's World Cup that we will be hosting next year."