FIFA has a 51 per cent share in the joint venture, a limited liability company incorporated by world football's governing body, leaving Qatar with a 49 per cent stake.

It marks a move away from the traditional model used to plan and deliver operations and services for the tournament and sees FIFA take further control of organising the event.

FIFA claim the "innovative" venture combines their extensive tournament experience with Qatar's own global event knowledge".

The Board of the joint venture, which held its first meeting yesterday, includes FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and deputies Zvonimir Boban and Alasdair Bell.

FIFA's chief tournaments and events officer, Colin Smith, and chief legal officer Emilio Garcia Silvero also represent the organisation on the Board.

Qatar's Hassan Al Thawadi will head up the entity, while Nasser Al-Khater will act as chief executive.

They are joined by Qatar Football Association vice president Saoud Al-Mohannadi and Yasir Al Jamal, chairman of the operational office and vice chairman of the technical operational office of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

"Today we take a major step in the organisation of the biggest single-sport event in the world," said Samoura.

"Created in accordance with the FIFA President's vision and together with our Qatari counterparts, the joint venture aims to reorganise the way we work at the operational front and avoid inefficiencies. 

"I am convinced that this new approach to planning, delivery and legacy, always hand in hand with our colleagues based in Qatar, will help to ensure that the World Cup continues to be the most eagerly awaited event by billions of fans worldwide."

Al-Khater claimed they were "very pleased to launch this new organisation and collectively develop the best possible operational plans for 2022".

"In less than four years' time, we will be welcoming the participating teams and over one million fans to Qatar for the world's most anticipated sporting event," he added. 

"It is the work we do now which will ensure the experience we deliver is unlike anything previously witnessed at a tournament. 

"I look forward to leading this innovative joint venture with FIFA and the work it will be undertaking in the years to come."

The 2022 World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to be held in the Northern Hemisphere winter, will take place in the Gulf nation from November 21 to December 18, 2022.

It has been suggested the event may be expanded to 48 teams following repeated claims from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has also raised the possibility that other countries in the Middle East could host some matches.