The Qatari 2022 FIFA World Cup organizers are confident the global competition will be staged in stadiums operating at 100 percent capacity even as the world continues its fight against COVID-19.

In an interview with AFP, Yasir al-Jamal, chairman of the Operations Office of Qatar's Supreme Committee charged with organizing the 2022 tournament, said fans had already been allowed into stadiums albeit in smaller capacities.

"Qatar started this matter gradually by hosting matches for the AFC Champions League without fans," AFP quotes Yasir al-Jamal, chairman of the Operations Office of Qatar's Supreme Committee charged with organizing the 2022 tournament.

"Then in December, capacity was raised to 30 percent which was followed by the Club World Cup at the same percentage... then reaching the 2022 World Cup with crowds of 100 percent," said al-Jamal.

Sporting competitions globally were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that struck hard in 2020. Various competitions were halted for months, others postponed while others were cancelled.

After lengthy periods of inactivity, the sporting world began picking up as the year wound down.

Some competitions have now been held successfully, including national soccer leagues and continental competitions.

In July-August this year, the postponed 2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan. Organizers insist the event will go ahead even though health experts question the safety of holding an event of such magnitude.

Qatar has so far inaugurated three new grounds and opened one refurbished venue with four yet to be opened.

Two of the as-yet unopened stadiums, Al Thumama and Ras Abu Abboud, could be used for the 22-nation Arab Cup competition in December, Jamal said.