Aspetar Magazine 2026

66 ASPETAR MAGAZINE SPECIAL REPORT The FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 marked a defining moment in Aspetar’s international journey. For the first time, the hospital was entrusted as the exclusive medical provider for players and officials; a responsibility that placed it at the centre of one of the most complex sporting operations ever delivered. Aspetar oversaw the entire medical framework under the leadership of Dr Khalid Al Khelaifi, Knee and Shoulder Surgery Consultant and Director of Visiting Surgeon Program at Aspetar. In this role, he coordinated everything from pre-competition health assessments and cardiac screening to on-site emergency care, advanced imaging, and post- match recovery services. With extensive experience in elite orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, Dr Al Khelaifi was instrumental in shaping the hospital’s operational strategy for one of the most complex events in football history. “Medical preparation for a World Cup is a long-term, strategic process,” Dr Khalid explains. “It goes far beyond match-day coverage. It focuses on building a comprehensive system that ensures pl ayer safety, performance, and readiness across all venues.” For Qatar 2022, this meant designing and managing a fully integrated medical ecosystem. “We were responsible for the full medical framework,” he says. “From screenings and diagnostics to specialist treatment and rehabilitation, everything had to be aligned. Our priority was to create a safe environment where players could focus entirely on performance.” Organisational Leadership: Qatar 2022 with Dr Al Khelaifi Medical preparation for a World Cup is a long-term, strategic process.