How did a rustic with no important footballing custom, no appropriate current infrastructure and a local weather fully unsuited to a summer time event – however with nearly limitless money – procure the best to host one of many world’s biggest sporting competitions? At some point the total story could emerge,
It’s troublesome to conceive of a much less acceptable nation to be the only venue for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The guts has been ripped out of European soccer seasons so the event could be performed in early winter to keep away from the extraordinary summer time warmth. Forward of kick-off on 21 November, stadiums are being accomplished on random patches of desert.
The standard camaraderie and worldwide understanding that each World Cup fosters – most not too long ago within the extremely profitable Russia 2018 – will likely be largely absent, and, extra prosaically followers nonetheless don’t know the foundations about getting a beer.
But since Qatar 2022 goes forward, all we are able to do is attempt to make the very best of it. That is your important survival package.
Simply remind me about Qatar?
The host of the World Cup 2022 is a thumb of territory barely half the scale 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 near 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.
Who’s certified thus far?
England will certainly be among the many closing 32, together with a number of the standard suspects together with Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Croatia, the holders France and, as host nation, Qatar – who beforehand have by no means certified for the World Cup Finals.
Scotland and Wales are seeded within the play-offs for locations within the finals, however face robust competitors that features Italy, Portugal and Ukraine.
When do we discover out who’s taking part in the place and when?
The play-offs to achieve Qatar happen from 24 to 29 March, with the draw to allocate groups to teams scheduled for 1 April.
When does it begin and finish?
The opening match – and Qatar’s first-ever World Cup sport – kicks off at 10am native time (7am GMT) on 21 November 2022 on the Al Bayt Stadium within the city of Al Khor.
The ultimate is at 3pm native time (12 midday GMT) on 18 December on the Lusail Iconic Stadium, north of Doha.
How do I get there, and the way a lot will it value?
Direct flights on Qatar Airways – supplemented by its associate, British Airways – will function from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester. They are going to contact down at Hamad Worldwide Airport in Doha – one of many massive Gulf hubs.
Fares are already excessive for direct flights: sometimes upwards of £1,200 return for departures on 19 November (a few days earlier than the event) and returning on 19 December (the day after the ultimate).
Particularly, fares in direction of the top of the event could enhance due to demand from common vacationers – not soccer followers – flying long-haul through Doha for Christmas.
That sounds costly. Any alternate options?
Cheaper routes can be found on a variety of airways through their hubs: Turkish Airways through Istanbul, Egyptair through Cairo and Royal Jordanian through Amman.
There usually are not but notably good offers on the Gulf-based carriers equivalent to Etihad, Gulf Air and Emirates through Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dubai. As a result of plenty of supporters will likely be staying exterior Qatar and simply flying in for matches, that may put stress on costs.
How will I get round?
The utmost distance between any of the eight stadiums is 45 miles (75km), and all public transport will likely 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.
Purchase 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 (£1.20).
Subtle travellers may select to go for Gold Membership, for which the travelcard prices 100 rials (£20) and every journey is 10 rials (£2). You may anticipate a feast of subterranean bling – together with white leather-based seats – and, with fares 5 instances greater than normal, a near-empty carriage.
One other carriage is reserved for households, wherein males are allowed provided that they’re travelling with a lady.
The identical travelcard works on the Lusail tram system.
Qatar has a great bus community. No money or direct fee is allowed; you need to purchase a “Karwa” saved worth card. The “Traditional Card”, worth of 30 rials (£7.50) contains 20 rials (£5) value of journeys, which is greater than sufficient for a return journey between Doha and the northern city of Al Khor, residence to one of many key stadiums.
Buses have video screens that present precisely the place you’re, the subsequent cease and the anticipated time on the terminus – and even the identify of the driving force and the pace he’s driving.
Uber has a superb community of drivers and vehicles, with very low charges: a experience from Doha to Al Khor is about 50 rials (£10).
There may be additionally an open-sided, battery-powered tram that runs anticlockwise on a circuit by way of the Msheireb district of central Doha, offering a shady and refreshing 15-minute journey.
The place will I keep?
The Supreme Committee for Supply & Legacy – the Qatari physique organising the event – expects 1.5 million guests through the World Cup.
In 2019, Qatar had 35,000 lodge rooms – however the Qatari authorities says it’s including 105 new resorts and serviced residences, with an final purpose of over 100,000 rooms. To place the quantity in context, although, that may nonetheless be fewer than the town of Sochi – simply one of many dozen venues for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The lodging search perform supplied by the Supreme Committee is within the “preview stage” which suggests you possibly can’t truly e-book in the intervening time.
Some supporters will be capable of camp within the desert, in what’s being known as “Fan Village desert tenting”.
Others will discover cabins aboard cruise ships moored in Qatar for the occasion: MSC’s Poesia and World Europa.
What are the alternatives exterior Qatar?
Dubai has essentially the most lodge rooms, with Abu Dhabi not far behind. However to save lots of money I like to recommend Bahrain – notably if a ferry hyperlink is re-established throughout the quick sea crossing to Qatar – or Saudi Arabia, which has a land frontier, however lodging choices wherever close to the border are restricted.
Can I get match tickets now?
In case you are ready to pay extremely for the privilege. Some tickets have already gone on sale by way of the odd channels. A random allocation stage has completed, however the subsequent tranche of tickets has not but been positioned on sale. Will probably be launched after the ultimate draw on 1 April.
Properly-heeled followers can lock into their crew’s matches – however it is going to value hundreds of kilos to “curate your Fifa World Cup 2022 expertise”.
To ensure a seat at every of England’s three group matches, plus the spherical of 16 and quarter-final, prices $11,250 (£8,334).
However you shouldn’t must pay a lot. In contrast to each earlier World Cup in trendy instances, there’s not a considerable football-supporting cohort who will likely be wanting to purchase tickets of their tens of hundreds.
Entry and lodging will show so costly that many followers will likely be delay. So my recommendation is to attend till after the draw after which strive your luck.
Do you have to get one, your match ticket will seem on the “Hay’ya Card” (that means “let’s go”, and equal to the Fan ID in Russia 2018) – which may even incorporate permission to be in Qatar, and act as a cross without cost public transport on the day of matches.
What’s going to I eat and drink?
Qatar has very good eating places, starting from traditional Center Japanese delicacies to choices from the Indian sub-continent. There are additionally some excellent venues catering for Westerners, equivalent to Boho Social – simply north of Katara Cultural Village, itself north of Doha.
However ingesting alcohol isn’t attainable at this or different stand-alone eating places at current. Alcohol is at present accessible in resorts (together with their eating places), and will likely be served at fan zones through the event.
The Supreme Committee says: “Alcohol isn’t a part of Qatari tradition, and is probably not accessible in every single place, however it will likely be accessible in designated areas.
“Fifa will work with Q22, because it does with all Fifa World Cup host nations, to discover a resolution that satisfies everybody involved.”
It’s unlawful to drink alcohol – or be drunk – in public, with the International Workplace warning that drunkenness “might end in a jail sentence of as much as six months and/or a superb as much as QAR3,000 (over £600).
Anybody staying in Saudi Arabia won’t be able to drink whereas there.
Is there a gown code?
Sure, in accordance with the Qatar Tourism Authority. It says: “Guests (males in addition to ladies) are anticipated to point out respect for native tradition by avoiding excessively revealing clothes in public.
“It’s usually beneficial for women and men to make sure their shoulders and knees are coated.
What about behaviour?
The tourism physique says: “Displaying overt affection and intimacy in public is frowned upon.
“Qatari women is not going to shake arms with males, and plenty of males is not going to shake a woman’s hand as a gesture of respect.”
The International Workplace warns: “Gay behaviour is illegitimate in Qatar.” Article 296 of the Qatari authorized code stipulates imprisonment of between one and three years for “main, instigating or seducing a male by in any strategy to commit sodomy”.
Is there a lot to maintain me occupied?
The principle cultural attraction is the gorgeous new Nationwide 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.
Additionally value a go to is the Museum of Islamic Artwork.
Each are spectacular constructions near the waterfront, with engrossing reveals.
Doha’s approximation to a historic centre, based mostly across the Waqif souk, is nice sufficient, and involves life every night. However it’s reasonably extra trendy than the markets in different Arabian places equivalent to Muscat, Bahrain and Dubai.
As with different Gulf states, buying is extraordinarily well-liked, and there are many malls in and round Doha and the cities past.
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 energetic fish market.
Isn’t there pressure between Qatar and its neighbours?
Sure. In July 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates minimize 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.
You may take heed to Simon Calder’s report from Qatar for the journey podcast You Ought to Have Been There right here.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
