How did a rustic with no important footballing custom, no appropriate present infrastructure and a local weather utterly unsuited to a summer time match – however with nearly limitless money – procure the suitable to host one of many world’s best sporting competitions? One day the total story could emerge,
It is tough to conceive of a much less acceptable nation to be the only venue for the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The honour was bestowed by soccer’s governing physique on Qatar in 2010.
In March 2015, Fifa introduced that the match can be performed in early winter to keep away from the extreme summer time warmth, regardless that it meant ripping the center out of European soccer seasons to accommodate the shift.
Ahead of kick-off on 20 November, stadiums are being accomplished across the nation. An unknown variety of migrant staff have died throughout the building of infrastructure for the match. Sacha Deshmukh, chief government of Amnesty International UK, mentioned: “Migrant worker deaths are casting a long shadow over the 2022 World Cup.”
Human Rights Watch says Qatari legislation “discriminates against women in marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance”.
The Foreign Office says: “Homosexual behaviour is illegal in Qatar.”
The conventional multinational camaraderie that each World Cup fosters – most lately within the extremely profitable Russia 2018 – might be largely absent. More prosaically, followers nonetheless don’t know the precise guidelines about getting a beer.
Yet since Qatar 2022 goes forward, all we are able to do is strive to make the most effective of it. This is your important survival package.
Just remind me about Qatar?
The host of the World Cup 2022 is a thumb of territory barely half the dimensions of Wales protruding from the Arabian peninsula into the Gulf.
Doha, the capital, is on the identical latitude as Miami and Hong Kong, and the identical longitude as Tehran and Baku. It shares a land border with Saudi Arabia and is shut to Bahrain, with Abu Dhabi within the UAE 200 miles east and Dubai barely additional.
The UK is about 3,300 miles away – roughly seven hours’ flying time.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy – the Qatari physique organising the match – says the “compact nature” of the match could have a optimistic influence on gamers and followers.
The organisation says: “Not only will fans be able to watch more than one match in a single day, they will also avoid the long journeys to other matches seen in previous Fifa World Cups – where some games were played thousands of miles apart.”
When does it begin and finish?
The opening match – and Qatar’s first-ever World Cup recreation – kicks off in opposition to Ecuador at 7pm native time (4pm GMT) on 20 November 2022 on the Al Bayt Stadium within the city of Al Khor, within the northeast of Qatar.
The last is at 6pm native time (3pm GMT) on 18 December on the Lusail Iconic Stadium, north of Doha.
What awaits England and Wales ?
Both house groups are in Group B, together with Iran and the USA. All Group B video games will happen on 21, 25 and 29 November.
How do I get there, and the way a lot will it value?
Direct flights on Qatar Airways – supplemented by its companion, British Airways – will function from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester. They will contact down at Hamad International Airport in Doha – one of many massive Gulf hubs, coded DOH.
During the World Cup, the previous Doha International Airport (DIA) is being introduced again into use by airways together with Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Pegasus Airlines of Turkey.
Fares are falling for direct flights. In the summer time, the fare for departure from London Heathrow on 19 November (a few days earlier than the primary Group B matches) and returning on 19 December (the day after the ultimate) was upwards of £1,200 return. By October, the bottom fare was £934 – presumably as a result of bookings weren’t coming in as quick as anticipated.
However, fares in direction of the top of the match could improve due to demand from common vacationers – not soccer followers – flying long-haul by way of Doha for Christmas.
Any cheaper options?
Lower fares for connecting flights can be found on a variety of airways by way of their hubs: Turkish Airlines by way of Istanbul, Egyptair by way of Cairo and Royal Jordanian by way of Amman. Typical fares are £800 return.
There should not but notably good offers on the Gulf-based carriers reminiscent of Etihad, Gulf Air and Emirates by way of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dubai. Because plenty of supporters might be staying exterior Qatar and simply flying in for matches, that can put strain on costs.
Any crimson tape?
Yes. Your passport needs to be legitimate for at least six months from the date you arrive. In addition, anybody travelling to Qatar from 1 November 2022 should have an accepted “Hayya Card”. Hayya means “let’s go”. You can select a bodily model of this ID card, or stick with the web model.
“This requirement may continue up until 23 January 2023 and applies to all visitors,” the Foreign Office says.
To get this id doc at current, you should have no less than one match ticket – which presently guidelines out individuals who need to be in Qatar to take in the ambiance, or to be a vacationer or enterprise customer.
Where will I keep?
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy expects 1.5 million guests throughout the World Cup.
In 2019, Qatar had 35,000 resort rooms. But the Qatari authorities is including 105 new accommodations and serviced residences geared toward offering 100,000 rooms.
To put the quantity in context, although, that can nonetheless be fewer than town of Sochi – simply one of many dozen venues for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The peak dates for travelling followers are anticipated to be 27 and 28 November, in direction of the top of the group stage, with 275,000 followers within the nation.
The lodging search perform offered by the Supreme Committee permits followers to discover rooms in a variety of accommodations.
Many accommodations are bought out. A comparatively finances various is the “Fan Village Cabins” within the Free Zone close to the previous airport. They seem to be well-appointed containers, with double or twin en-suite bedrooms.
The organisers say: “Amenities in each cabin include tea and coffee making facilities, two bottles of water per day, a fridge, bed linen and bathroom towels.”
There is a Metro station close by. The nightly price is 740 rials (£175).
There are additionally cabins aboard cruise ships moored in Qatar for the occasion: MSC’s Poesia and World Europa. A two-night keep for a cabin sleeping up to three folks is on sale for £1,075.
These choices are open solely to folks with match tickets. They also can look on the broader open market, however resort charges are very excessive – usually £1,500 nightly.
Could I keep in a close-by nation?
Yes, and that is doubtless to be an financial system choice for a lot of. Dubai has by far the very best variety of resort beds elsewhere within the Gulf: round 100,000 – the identical as Doha, with none further constructing.
Qatar Airways is operating particular Match Day Shuttle flights at a hard and fast fare: US$258 (£221) return in financial system class or US$99 (£856) in enterprise class. That consists of floor transport to the stadium.
You can take solely cabin baggage. The flights function from Dubai World Central (DWC), not the primary airport (DXB).
Similar shuttles on the identical fares can be found from Muscat in Oman (operated by Oman Air however bought by Qatar Airways), which can be a extra aesthetically interesting location wherein to be based mostly.
Saudi Arabia, which has a land frontier with Doha, is a lower-cost choice. But lodging choices wherever close to the border are restricted, and the dominion’s human rights file is extensively deplored.
How will I get round?
The most distance between any of the eight stadiums is 45 miles (75km). All public transport might be free to followers on match days.
Doha has a brand new and formidably good Metro system. Travelling from the airport into the capital and onwards to Lusail Iconic Stadium – on the finish of the road, and venue for the ultimate – is simple.
The hub of the three-line community is Msheireb (generally spelt, and all the time pronounced, Musheireb) within the coronary heart of Doha. All three strains – crimson, inexperienced and gold – meet. Some say it’s a palatial tackle the grandiose mid-Twentieth century Soviet Metro stations.
Buy a travelcard on arrival on the airport for 10 rials (about £2) and cargo it as you go alongside: every journey is 2 rials (40p) however every day use is capped at 6 rials (£1.40).
Sophisticated travellers would possibly select to go for Gold Club on the Metro, for which the travelcard prices 100 rials (£20) and every journey is 10 rials (£2.40). You can count on a feast of subterranean bling – together with white leather-based seats – and, with fares 5 occasions increased than commonplace, a near-empty carriage.
Another carriage is reserved for households, wherein males are allowed provided that they’re travelling with a girl.
The identical travelcard works on the Lusail tram system.
Qatar has bus community. No money or direct cost is allowed; you should purchase a “Karwa” saved worth card. The “Classic Card”, worth of 30 rials (£7.20) consists of 20 rials (£4.80) value of journeys, which is greater than sufficient for a return journey between Doha and the northern city of Al Khor, house to one of many key stadiums.
Buses have video screens that present precisely the place you are, the following cease and the anticipated time on the terminus – and even the identify of the motive force and the pace at which he’s driving.
The Hayya Card acts as a go at no cost public transport on the day of matches.
Uber has a wonderful community of drivers and vehicles, with very low charges: a journey from Doha to Al Khor is about 50 rials (£12).
There can also be an open-sided, battery-powered tram that runs anticlockwise on a circuit by the Msheireb district of central Doha, offering a shady and refreshing 15-minute journey.
How do I get a match ticket?
Well-heeled followers can lock into their crew’s matches – however it is going to value 1000’s of kilos to “curate your Fifa World Cup 2022 experience”.
To assure a seat at every of England’s or Wales’s three group matches, plus the spherical of 16 and quarter-final, prices $11,250 (£9,650).
Fifa is in concept promoting tickets on-line, however as of 1 October all 64 matches are proven as bought out.
What will I eat and drink?
Qatar has very good eating places, starting from basic Middle Eastern delicacies to choices from the Indian sub-continent. There are additionally some excellent venues catering for Westerners, reminiscent of Boho Social – simply north of Katara Cultural Village, itself north of Doha.
But consuming alcohol will not be attainable at this or different stand-alone eating places at current. Alcohol is presently obtainable in accommodations (together with their eating places), and might be served at fan zones throughout the match.
The Supreme Committee says: “Alcohol is not part of Qatari culture, and may not be available everywhere, but it will be available in designated areas.
“Fifa will work with Q22, as it does with all Fifa World Cup host nations, to find a solution that satisfies everyone concerned.”
It is prohibited to drink alcohol – or be drunk – in public, with the Foreign Office warning that drunkenness “could result in a prison sentence of up to six months and/or a fine up to QAR3,000 (over £600).
Anyone staying in Saudi Arabia will not be able to drink while in the kingdom.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, according to the Qatar Tourism Authority. It says: “Visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public.
“It is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered.
What about behaviour?
The tourism body says: “Showing overt affection and intimacy in public is frowned upon.
“Qatari ladies will not shake hands with men, and many men will not shake a lady’s hand as a gesture of respect.”
The Foreign Office warns: “Homosexual behaviour is illegal in Qatar.” Article 296 of the Qatari authorized code stipulates imprisonment of between one and three years for “leading, instigating or seducing a male by in any way to commit sodomy”.
It provides: “Private life in Qatar is largely respected but any intimacy between persons in public can lead to offence, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or intent.
“Host authorities have stated that ‘everyone is welcome’ at the World Cup. They have publicly confirmed that there will be no restrictions on non-married friends or couples (including LGBT) staying in the same room.”
Is there a lot to hold me occupied?
The most important cultural attraction is the gorgeous new National Museum, telling the Qatar story from pre-history to untold wealth from oil. A key exhibit is the huge 18th-century Baroda Carpet, embroidered with gems.
The Museum of Islamic Art can also be spectacular and properly value a go to.
Both are spectacular constructions shut to the waterfront, with engrossing displays.
Doha’s approximation to a historic centre, based mostly across the Waqif souk, is atmospheric and walkable, and comes to life every night. But it’s slightly extra fashionable than the markets in different Arabian areas reminiscent of Muscat, Bahrain and Dubai.
As with different Gulf states, purchasing is extraordinarily well-liked, and there are many malls in and round Doha and the cities past.
In the far southeast of Qatar, shut to the Saudi border, the Khor Al-Adaid space – also called the “Inland Sea” – includes the nation’s largest nature reserve.
It is related to the Gulf by a slender, deep channel about six miles (10km) lengthy. Wildlife consists of turtles, ospreys and Arabian gazelles
Unesco says it has “exceptional, undeveloped natural beauty”. The UN physique asserts: “There is no comparable lagoonal system of this type known elsewhere in the world.
“Furthermore there are several valuable archaeological sites and a diversity of cultural heritage sites to be found in the area.
“The rocky desert of the Al-Adaid area clearly supported bedouins and their grazing stock. Pre-historical use of the small islands in the khor has also been revealed.”
Elsewhere in Qatar, the northern city of Al Khor – venue for the opening match – is a comparatively regular Arab fishing port, with a good-looking assortment of dhows and a full of life fish market.
Isn’t there pressure between Qatar and its neighbours?
Yes. In July 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates reduce navy and diplomatic ties with Qatar, alleging the nation had been supporting extremist teams – a cost that the Qatari authorities denied.
The blockade has now ended.
Listen to Simon Calder’s report from Qatar for the journey podcast You Should Have Been There right here.
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