With only two months to go for the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar, which kicks off on November 20, UAE’s ticketing agents are already reporting record ticket sales, according to Dubai-based sports tourism company Expat Sport Tourism DMCC.
That being said, here’s all you need to know about the upcoming 22-day event:
First things first, when are the games?
Yes, it begins on November 20. However, the opening match – Qatar versus Ecuador – is slotted for 8pm (UAE time) and will be held at Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium.
As per the match schedule by FIFA, there will be a total of 64 games played across four weeks. The final two countries will compete for the winner’s trophy on Sunday, December 18 at the Lusail Stadium. The match begins at 7pm (UAE time).
Tickets – are they still available?
According to Expat Sport Tourism DMCC’s managing director Alan Holt, tickets are available. Holt, who is the exclusive sales agent for the UAE for the tournament said, “some of the most popular matches such as the finals, opening ceremony, the Portugal and Argentina games have almost sold out but there are still tickets available.”
Holt added: “Our most popular package for UAE residents has been the Quarter-finals as you get to see the top teams in the world play over a long weekend – December 9 and 10,” which are Friday and Saturday respectively.
Where can I buy tickets and how much do they cost?
Fans can buy tickets to the World Cup in one of two ways – Match Hospitality tickets through Expat Sport or via the FIFA website.
The Expat Sport ticket includes “a category 1 seat, which gives a good view of the stadium, plus four hours of food and beverages at the stadium,” the company said. Ticket prices start at $950 (AED3,489.36) per person.
If you are buying tickets via the FIFA website, you can register for the ‘Last Minute Sales Phase’ to buy general grandstand seats. Ticket prices start at $69 (AED253.44)
In addition to this, do check the legality of your ticket. “To guarantee that your tickets are legal only, purchase these through FIFA.com on their Last Minute Sales Phase or Expat Sport, the UAE official and exclusive agent,” Expat Sport said.
If in doubt, “ask to see the official appointment letter from the company providing you with the ticket or go to Sales Agents on the official FIFA website to check they are listed,” the company said.
Will ticket prices reduce?
Expat Sports’ Holt says it will not reduce as “availability may become an issue soon,” adding that since the prices are set by FIFA and are standard rates globally, there will be no further reductions nearer to the time of the tournament.
Travelling to Qatar
When travelling to Qatar, a Hayya Card is a must. However, the requirements vary for each mode of transport.
When travelling by air:
- There are daily flights from Flydubai, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Etihad, with Flydubai offering match day shuttle flights from Dubai World Central to Doha International Airport. Tickets can be bought directly via the flight’s website.
- Baggage weights on daily flights must not go beyond 7 kilograms and fans must return to Dubai with 24 hours of their departure.
When travelling by road:
- Fans must carry their valid Hayya Card, entry visas, insurance and driving permits.
- The journey, which spans 550 kilometres, takes about five to six hours from Abu Dhabi, and six to seven hours approximately from Dubai, depending on border control.
- Fans must park on the Saudi side of Abu Samra land border, Expat Sports said, and then must take the B811 shuttle bus to central Doha’s Al Messila Metro Station, which is free of cost.
- Seats on the B811 buses must be booked in advance and passengers must provide an estimated arrival time – all of which can be done on the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile app.
Are there any available places to stay in Doha?
Expat Sports’ Holt says yes. Recently, it was announced that Qatar released over thousands of rooms that were previously reserved for guests, officials and royals. Additionally, new hotels have also been established to offer fans accommodation.
What is a Hayya Card and how can I get one?
The Hayya Card is an entry permit into Qatar, and the new UAE visa scheme will allow its bearers to enter the country multiple times over a period of 90 days. In August, UAE announced a multiple-entry tourist visa for ‘Hayya’ card holders, issued by FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The pre-approved entry permit is mandatory for every person visiting Qatar between November 1, 2022, and January 23, 2023. The visa, which costs Dh100, is valid from the date of issuance, and can be extended for another 90 days (according to the conditions, procedures and the normal fees followed in the current visa system in the UAE).
Only one Hayya Card is required per person for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. However, Hayya Card holders can bring three non-ticketed fans to join them. The ‘Hayya with Me (1+3)’ feature is applicable only to approved Hayya Card holders aged 18 and above, who applied using a FIFA World Cup ticket number.
Additional benefits of the card include free transport to and from stadiums on the Doha Metro.
“Passengers arriving at Doha International Airport (DIA) can take the Gold Line directly into central Doha and return on the Red Line to Al Matar Al Qadeem Metro station, near the airport. The metro services run for prolonged hours during the World Cup season from 6am to 3am Saturday to Thursday and from 9am to 3am on Fridays,” Expat Sports said.
Additionally, fans can book Uber and Careem rides in Qatar and visitors can also use the 24-hour Karwa public airport taxi services.
From November 14 to December 18, “free dedicated shuttle bus services will travel in a loop around central Doha, providing convenient access to events, activities, and the official FIFA Fan Festival,” Expat Sports said.
Fans can also plan their journeys via the Qatar 2022 website.
Covid-19 requirements
Fans aged 6 and above, who attend the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar, must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test, regardless of vaccination status. The negative result must be obtained from either taking a PCR test, within 48 hours of departure or through a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arriving.
Both tests must be taken from official medical centres and must not be self-administered.
GCC nationals and residents over 18 years of age must download Ehteraz – a government-backed contact tracing app – similar to UAE’s Alhosn mobile application.
Facemasks must be worn on public transport, at the airport and also by staff members. “It is advised that visitors should keep a mask on them to ensure that if they’re required to put a mask on, they’re able to,” Expat Sports said.
The sports company added: “As travel information is constantly changing, visitors are encouraged to check their chosen airline’s latest guidelines and suggestions given by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health at time of travel.”
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