They have been on the pitch for some of the most memorable moments in FIFA World Cup™ history, and both Osvaldo Ardiles and Peter Reid became widely-respected midfielders after enjoying long and successful careers in English football. While Ardiles lifted the 1978 FIFA World Cup™ with Argentina on home soil and then went on to help Tottenham Hotspur win the FA Cup, Reid helped England reach the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final in Mexico, only to lose to an Argentina side inspired by a Diego Maradona who scored two of the most talked-about goals in the history of the world game that day.

Now passing on their vast football experience in roles as ambassador for Tottenham Hotspur and coach in the Indian Super League, respectively, both Ardiles and Reid took the time to talk to www.sc.qa at the Dead Sea in Jordan this week, saying that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ will help to further develop the game in Asia and the Middle East.

"I've coached in Thailand, and in India for the Indian Super League. We had away games in Saudi Arabia and in Jordan, so I've seen the development of Asian football first hand, which I think is fantastic," said Reid. "Even though people say it originated in England, it is a world game, and Asia's got it. It is only fair that the biggest competition in the world is in the Middle East, not just in South America, North America and Europe. It has to expand, and rightly so. The conditions in December will be excellent, and we've had to change, but football is not a unique right for Europe. And rightly so, Qatar have got it."

The former Bolton Wanderers and Everton midfielder who has visited Qatar on numerous occasions said that he expected the tournament in 2022 to set new standards in terms of organisation and facilities. Reid said: "When Qataris put something on, they do it first class. I took Thailand to Aspire for a training camp, and there is not a better facility in the world. I have no questions about the facilities, the games, the logistics; I know everything will be first class. I hope we qualify, and if we do I know England fans will have a great time there. Being a proud Englishman, I'd love to see England win in 2022."

Looking back at some of his favourite World Cup moments, Reid recalled both England's only triumph – on home soil in 1966 – as well as his own view on the pitch of the Maradona brace in 1986.

Reid reminisced: "In 1966 I was a young boy when England won with the great Bobby Moore, it was fantastic to see the scenes in England. In 1986, Maradona got an absolutely fantastic goal and one of the greatest goals in the history of the World Cup, and then one of the most controversial. Those were two extremes, a fantastic goal and one which shouldn't have stood."

Peter Reid: "When Qataris put something on, they do it first class"

Reid also emphasized that Asian football has grown exponentially, based on his coaching experiences in Thailand and India. He said: "It's been in England for hundreds of years, since 1886, but the likes of China, India and Thailand, football there is massive. In Mumbai the grassroots was excellent, and in Thailand as well. There are great plans for young kids to play football, and the coaching and technical side is there too. India is brilliant at cricket and there is no reason why they can't do the same in football. It may take time, but the interest is there, and in the years to come we will find that teams from Asia will be challenging at the top end of the World Cup. I think an Asian team can win in 2022."

Meanwhile, Argentina legend Ardiles was full of praise for his compatriot Lionel Messi, and said he could easily play in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ and perhaps even the World Cup after that. He explained: "Especially with the form in which football is played now, that no one touches you and there are no fouls, and he is very good physically. He is fabulous, marvellous, extraordinary. It is incredible how good he is."

Ardiles about Qatar 2022: "In the case of Qatar, it has been given to the Arab world which is a very important part of world football, it is an excellent idea."

Ardiles added that players could reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ in their peak condition. He noted: "European teams have always complained about the World Cup being in the European summer. European players as well as some Argentine players like Messi reach the World Cup tired after a long season. Now that it is before Christmas all the players will be in their peak condition, which could be a big help for teams like England. Of course it will be a different World Cup, and I think it is excellent that FIFA opens its doors not only to South America and Europe but to everyone. In the case of Qatar, it has been given to the Arab world which is a very important part of world football, it is an excellent idea."