Distance has never been a barrier. As with the 2014 FIFA World CupTM in Brazil and the 2015 AFC Asian CupTM in Australia, the SC sent a team of experts to New Zealand to observe and work as secondees at the FIFA Under-20 World CupTM. Including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil ™, the Asian Cup in Australia and the most recent trip to New Zealand, SC observer groups have now traveled more than 35,000 km around the world to gain expertise and knowledge on how to host an amazing World Cup in 2022.

The SC Secondees and Observers Group have now completed their programme in New Zealand having accumulated more information and know-how in time for 2022. The diverse SC group includes staff from many departments. Perhaps best-fitted for the trip to New Zealand is secondee Nick Thurston, a local New Zealander and SC Venue Expert from the Tournament Operations & Planning department. Having participated in the delivery of a number of FIFA or LOC events in the past, Thurston is a big proponent of sending observers groups to tournaments and thinks it is vital in achieving a great World Cup in 2022.

He said: "I truly believe that during each event, at a professional and personal level there has always been key learnings around working with others whose experiences and approach may be different.

"As I had studied in Dunedin and was involved within the local football community a number of years ago. I have been able to contribute directly in assisting in the delivery of the events, while gathering knowledge and key learning's to assist the delivery of football events and in particular the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar."

Thurston's colleague from Tournament Operations & Planning, Venues Planning Senior Officer Ivan Marchenko, also thought it crucial to make the trip to New Zealand as a secondee.

Marchenko said: "Having an operational role with the great team of FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 is a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge and utilise my experience. Being operationally involved in any event has its challenges that bring to light new lessons learned."

He added: "One of the Supreme Committee's objectives is related to operational readiness. I believe that gaining the international best practices through having an operational role in the second biggest FIFA World Cup in football will be key revenue from the secondment programme."

Bradley Habana, SC Sponsorship Senior Specialist from the Marketing & Communications department, also thought it important to see how the FIFA U-20 World Cup was run in New Zealand.

Based in Christchurch, one of the host cities, Habana explained: "The city as a whole has truly gotten into the spirit of celebrating football, albeit being a strong rugby community. This secondment has been phenomenal in terms of the experience learned from the LOC procedures and staff and working of the different FIFA divisions such as security, general coordination, team competitions."

Mohemed Ahmed, an engineer on the Khalifa & Al-Bayt stadium projects and part of the Observer Programme, praised the teamwork and chemistry between FIFA and the LOC.

He said: "The level of engagement from FIFA with the LOC is marvelous when it comes to provide direction and guidance on specific matters in regards to stadium requirements and FIFA expectation. Engaging more SC departmental representatives to such events will definitely benefit the future planning toward the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup QatarTM."

With many more FIFA tournaments ahead of 2022, the SC will continue traveling the world and observing the operations of huge tournaments, including future secondment roles, to ensure that in seven years' time fans will be able to experience the greatest ever World Cup.