Doha, July 6, 2026: Mo Farah, one of the most successful British track athletes in Olympic history, has revealed that a visit to Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup convinced him it was the ideal place to settle with his family after retirement.
Speaking about his decision, the four-time Olympic champion said he had long hoped to live in a Muslim country where his children could grow up connected to their faith.
"I’ve always said that when I do retire, I want to spend, you know, live in a Muslim country, enjoy myself, let my kids grow up knowing about the Deen, teach about the Deen, all that stuff," he said during a recent podcast.
Farah said his perspective changed after being invited to Qatar by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi during the World Cup, describing the experience as a sturning point for his family.
"For me, the biggest thing was, as I said, the biggest change was, you know, I came here during the World Cup, I got invited by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the PSG chairman, and he really looked after me when I came out for the World Cup, because I came out for the England against USA. My two girls went back out, I brought my son for the semi-final and the final… bro, we loved it," the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medallist in both the 5,000m and 10,000m added.
The 42-year-old, who relocated from the UK to Doha last year, added that returning to Qatar for holidays during the school break reinforced the family's decision to make the country their home.
"And then I said to my kids, kids, listen to December times, schools close, England's busy, come, could just come out here for holiday, we come out here holiday, and my kids absolutely love this country just because what it gives them, and they can be their self."
