Canada’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Karim Morcos. Photo by Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: As Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, the country is drawing valuable lessons from Qatar’s successful organisation of the 2022 tournament, particularly in delivering exceptional fan experiences and ensuring robust security, according to Canada’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Karim Morcos.
In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula, Ambassador Morcos highlighted the strong and expanding bilateral relationship between Canada and Qatar, which has gained significant momentum through high-level visits, cultural exchanges, and strategic cooperation.
“Whenever I ask people about their experience in 2022, they always say the fan experience, how smooth it was, how safe it was,” the Ambassador said. He noted that during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Qatar in January, both countries signed a letter of intent with Qatar’s Ministry of the Interior to enhance security cooperation for the upcoming global event.
Qatar will face Canada in Group stage action on June 18, 2026, with Ambassador Morcos expressing excitement about Qatar’s participation. “We’re expecting at least 2,000 Qataris to come to Canada,” he revealed, adding that the tournament presents opportunities for business-to-business engagement and cultural appreciation.
The Ambassador shared a light-hearted anecdote from a recent visit to a Qatari school, where young students confidently predicted a Canadian victory. “On the field, I’m expecting good competition, but whatever the outcome, may the best team win and our relationship will survive,” he remarked with a smile.
Sports diplomacy is emerging as a key pillar of the relationship. Ambassador Morcos praised Qatar’s growing interest in winter sports, noting the existence of a Qatari national team in both ice hockey and curling. A Canadian hockey club is actively supporting the Qatari national team, with recent friendly matches showcasing talented young Qatari players.
“They are very fast skaters, very agile. I give it a few more years, it’ll be very competitive,” he said, underscoring Canada’s willingness to share expertise in developing these sports in the desert nation.
The interview also touched on broader geopolitical issues. Ambassador Morcos expressed Canada’s concern over the situation in the Middle East while reaffirming commitment to principles of international law, freedom of navigation, and humanitarian assistance. Recent visits by Canada’s Foreign and Defence Ministers reinforced solidarity with Qatar and support for multilateral initiatives.
Canada greatly values Qatar’s pivotal role in mediation and peace-building. “Qatar’s role is central to global geopolitics... we value that role very much and that’s why we want to increase our relationship with Qatar,” the Ambassador stated. The two countries are collaborating on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, and Lebanon, combining financial and political support.
A major milestone was the recent signing of a Strategic Dialogue agreement, which will deepen cooperation across humanitarian assistance, political issues, defence, security, intelligence, and commercial ties.
On the economic front, bilateral trade currently stands at approximately $300m, with investments significantly higher. Qatari investments in Canada are prominent in health, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, while Canadian companies are supporting Qatar’s ambitions in AI and education. Ambassador Morcos highlighted Canada’s CAE role in training Qatar Airways pilots using Canadian simulators, adding a unique Canadian touch to the national carrier’s operations.
Education and people-to-people ties remain strong. There are approximately 10,000 Canadians living and working in Qatar, many contributing to Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums initiatives. A Canadian school, Blyth Academy, boasts impressive university placement rates, with over 90 percent of graduates heading to Canadian institutions.
The Qatar-Canada 2026 Year of Culture is seen as a timely platform to further enhance mutual understanding. “The Year of Culture couldn’t have happened at a better time,” Ambassador Morcos said. Planned activities include artist exchanges between museums, winter sports demonstrations, fashion expositions featuring Canadian designers, film screenings in collaboration with the Doha Film Festival, and culinary events showcasing Canadian cuisine.
The Ambassador emphasised that visa facilitation for Qatari citizens, now requiring only an electronic travel authorisation, will boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Morcos identified defence, aerospace, AI, health technology, and quantum computing as sectors with immense potential for growth. He described the overall outlook as highly positive.
“We’ve really started the year very strongly with the Prime Minister’s visit... Now we’re going to have the World Cup. So there’s tremendous momentum,” he said. “Expect more Canada, not less, in the coming years.”
On a lighter note, when asked about his World Cup prediction, Ambassador Morcos remained diplomatic: “Of course, Canada. But again, as I said, may the best team win.”
The Ambassador’s remarks paint a picture of a dynamic and multifaceted partnership between Canada and Qatar, built on shared values, mutual respect, and forward-looking collaboration across diplomacy, sports, culture, and innovation. As both nations gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this relationship is set to reach new heights, fostering greater people-to-people connections and strategic alignment on the global stage.
