His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani officially received the mantle of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar from Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in a ceremony which was held at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Sunday. 
The Amir extended congratulations to the Russian president and the Russian people for the successful organisation of the 2018 World Cup. On behalf of himself and all lovers of football and sports around the world, His Highness the Amir congratulated Russia for the great success and looked forward to welcoming everyone to 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 
The Amir also thanked the friends in Russia, especially the organising committee of 2018 World Cup for their co-operation with the organising committee of 2022 World Cup, confirming that they have benefited and look forward to co-operating in organising the Qatar World Cup. 
His Highness the Amir thanked Infantino for all his efforts and looked forward to working together with him to organise 2022 World Cup. 
The Amir stressed the importance of 2022 World Cup to all Arabs as mentioned previously in 2010 and welcomed the world to attend Qatar World Cup. 
Sheikh Tamim confirmed the success of the tournament in Qatar and stressed his great trust in the Arab youth and friends who will be present in its organisation. 
At the opening of the ceremony, Putin expressed his pride in organising the World Cup in Russia, confirming his certainty that Qatar will succeed in organising a similar high-class World Cup. 
"We are, of course, ready to share the experience we acquired in holding the World Cup this year," he said confirming that Russia will do its best to promote sports and its role in uniting people and countries.
"Russia is handing over the relay baton for hosting the FIFA World Cup to Qatar," Putin said.
"We are proud of what we did for fans of this wonderful sport. We ourselves, the whole country, got an enormous amount of pleasure from interacting with soccer, with the world of soccer, with the fans who came here from all over the globe." 
The FIFA president expressed his happiness with the ceremony saying "it's so important that we can be here today in the iconic place of the Kremlin to pass the World Cup hosting rights from the organiser of the 2018 World Cup to the organiser of the 2022 World Cup". 
He said passion, emotion, love, family and unity were the sentiments felt at 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and these will be transferred to Qatar in 2022. 
Infantino said the 2022 edition will leave a positive and vital impact. 
The handing over ceremony was attended by members of the delegation accompanying the Amir. From the Russian side, the ceremony was attended by a number of ministers and senior officials. 
The tournament in Russia proceeded without any significant organisational hitches. There was no violence, and no evidence of racism or harassment of visitors.
The World Cup final between France and Croatia began after the closing ceremony at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
US actor and rapper Will Smith, US singer Nicky Jam and Albanian singer Era Istrefi got together to sing the tournament's official song, "Live It Up."
A cast of some 800 took part in the 15-minute show which featured Russian soprano Aida Garifullina singing "Kalinka," with former Brazil star Ronaldinho joining in on a samba drum to huge cheers while official mascot Zabivaka cavorted with a troupe of dancers.
Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm and Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova brought the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at the end of the ceremony as the players waited in the tunnel.
Qatar's Amir, Presidents Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia and Emmanuel Macron of France joined Russian President Vladimir Putin among the guests for the match on a warm and sultry late afternoon in Moscow.
Apart from the sell-out crowd of 78,011 in the stadium, the final was watched by a billion-strong television audience around the world. 

Amir attends World Cup final

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the 2018 World Cup final between France and Croatia in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of dignitaries, presidents, heads of governments and guests of the tournament.
His Highness the Amir left Moscow on Sunday evening.
The Amir sent a cable to President Putin in which he expressed sincere thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and appreciation accorded to him and the accompanying delegation during the visit which provided the opportunity to meet the president to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, which would contribute to strengthening the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
The Amir also said Qatar has benefited greatly from the Russian experience in organising the most important sporting event in the world, expressing his appreciation and best wishes for the Russian president and the friendly people of Russia.