The Football Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar FA that could see England play friendlies against the 2022 World Cup hosts.
Just over two years after then-FA chairman Greg Dyke described Qatar being awarded the World Cup as "the worst moment in FIFA's history", his successor Greg Clarke was in Doha to forge links with the Gulf state.
Clarke was part of a touring party that visited the Qatari capital to discuss a "knowledge-sharing partnership" and, as part of the agreement, both football associations have committed to exploring the possibility of arranging friendlies across age groups.
"The FA is pleased to commit to this knowledge-sharing partnership with the Qatar Football Association," Clarke is quoted by The Guardian as saying.
"We have a long history of collaboration with various national associations to share knowledge and experience to support the development of football.
"For Qatar, developing the game across the country is a key objective as they approach the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022."
Qatar, whose national side are ranked 103rd in the world, were awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup by FIFA in 2010.
Giuseppe Labellarte
