On the Winning Team
WCMC-Q Student Speaks from Heart at Winning World Cup Bid Presentation

Muhammed Al-Nufal, speaking at the bid presentation in Zurich,
Explains how football has the power to unite people throughout the
region and the world.

To Muhammed Al-Nufal, third-year medical student at WCMC-Q, December 2nd still feels like a dream. And it’s still hard for him to believe that his words would be among those of Qatar’s leadership in a bid they won that day to host the World Cup.

“The world’s media seemed to agree that Qatar’s final presentation was outstanding and may indeed have swayed the Executive Committee members who were undecided at that point, says Ali Willis, head of media at the office of Her Highness, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Missned. “Muhammed’s role in presenting the voice of the youth of the region was critical.”

Al-Nufal, originally from Iraq, and many other students were asked to express their feelings about the Qatar and the bid. As he spoke with increasingly influential members of the bid, up to the CEO, Hassan Al-Thawadi, he and his story began to stand out. Yet until two days before a flight to Zurich, he had no idea that he would give a presentation to the world about why Qatar should become the first Arab nation in history to host the World Cup.

“We met with the CEO of the bid,” Al-Nufal said. “There were many students, but I remember at the end of the interview someone from the committee told me ‘you are an impressive guy.’”

Executives from the bid asked all students to speak from their hearts, Al-Nufal said. Having lost a father to warfare in Iraq, his message made a strong impression.

“I come from Iraq and I saw people fighting as violence spread quickly to everyone,” he says. “But when people played soccer, they were interested in something else. And when they reached the final, and they won, on that day, everyone celebrated. No politics, and violence stopped in Iraq for weeks after this.”

“Words cannot describe how proud we are of Muhammed,” said Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCMC-Q. “His story and his character are a symbol of the upcoming generation, and we are honored to be a part of his journey and the development of the best and brightest minds in the region.”

Having participated in three research projects and been listed as a co-investigator on one published, Al-Nufal’s work and achievements inside the college are an example of the intelligence, conviction and drive of students at WCMC-Q, Dr. Sheikh says. “This is only the beginning for Muhammed and his fellow students at WCMC-Q—it’s exciting to watch them stand out.”

By Emily Alp