Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the chairman of the Qatari bid and the son of the Emir of Qatar, is confident FIFA will sanction the staging of the event in the region for the first time.

After announcing the make-up of his bid committee, Sheikh Mohammed said: "We believe it is time to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the very first time.

"A World Cup in Qatar in 2022 would be the first global sports event to be hosted in the region. What could be more fitting than it being the world's favourite game that achieves this truly historic status?"

Sheikh Mohammed also suggested the implications of staging the event in Qatar would have implications beyond sport.

He added: "A World Cup held in the Middle East would provide an opportunity for greater understanding and unity between the Arab and Western worlds.

"It would allow the rest of the world to gain a true picture of Arab culture and hospitality.

"While winning the honour of hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would provide a symbol of hope and inspiration for this whole region."

Qatar is among 11 countries officially in contention to host the 2022 World Cup along with Australia, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, United States, England, Russia and joint bidders Spain-Portugal, and Belgium-Holland.

Qatar and South Korea have applied for 2022 only. The other countries have also applied to host the event in 2018.

The next deadline in the bidding process is December 11, 2009 when all the bidders need to submit the signed hosting agreement.

FIFA will announce the host country for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.