Qatari fans celebrate at Souk Waqif in Doha December 2, 2010, after the announcement that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. Summer temperatures which can soar to above 50 degrees Celsius and a concern about lack of infrastructure did not deter FIFA on Thursday from awarding the 2022 World Cup to the tiny Gulf state of Qatar. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad

DOHA — Qatar, the tiny and energy-rich Gulf Arab country that was picked on Thursday to host the 2022 World Cup, has placed Middle East football “on the world map,” the head of Qatar’s Olympic Committee said.

Thousands converged on the corniche and other public places in Doha in an outburst of joy following the announcement in Zurich that Qatar would play host in 12 years to football’s showpiece event.

“Qatar places the Middle East (football) on the world map,” Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the head of Qatar’s Olympic Committee, told Al-Jazeera television.

Crowds watching the live broadcast on giant television screens burst into chants of “Qatar, Qatar” following the announcement in Zurich by FIFA head Sepp Blatter.

The Qataris saw off bids by the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia.