A delegation from the Safety & Security Operations Committee (SSOC) of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, led by H.E. Major General Engineer Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari, SSOC Chairman, recently visited Germany to meet with security officials and discuss how to safely host major tournaments and mega-events.

The delegation visited the Riot Police headquarters of the Bavarian State Police, and met Andreas Backhoff, Inspector of the Riot Police Units of the Federal States at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community. The meeting discussed how various German security departments approach securing major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup™.

Susann Zschiesche, the Head of the Central Information Centre for Sports Operations at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Police, also provided an overview of the unit’s role in securing mega-events, management of football hooligans and how to address related challenges.

The delegation also visited the German Federal Police Directorate in Munich and met with its Vice President, Franz Vogl. They were briefed on the department’s work and securing borders, airports and transportation during mega-events.

A Declaration of Intent was also signed between the SSOC and the German Federal Ministry of Interior, Building and Community aimed at enhancing cooperation, capacity building and knowledge exchange in relation to organising and securing mega-events. The declaration was signed by Major General Al Ansari and Major General Backhoff.