Tribune News Network
Doha
With just over two months to go for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the first group fans have arrived in Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said on Monday.
"The first group of @FIFAWorldCup guests have checked in! Ticket holders must book accommodation and apply for a mandatory Hayya Card," the Supreme Committee tweeted with a series of photos showing exuberant guests being welcomed into Qatar.
Qatar will host the Arab world’s first-ever FIFA World Cup from November 20 to December 18. It will be the most compact edition of the tournament in modern history, with the longest distance between stadiums being just 75km.
Nasser Al Khater, CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said, “Thanks to the compact nature of this tournament, fans will never be far from a stadium or activation.”
People who have purchased tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2022 are permitted to bring up to three non-ticketed fans along with them to Qatar, according to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
As per existing regulations, a Hayya Card — a fan ID that is issued to World Cup ticket-holders to let them access the stadium and other facilities — is also required to enter the country from November. The invitees can obtain this card for a fee of QR500, an SC pamphlet has said, adding that children under the age of 12 will not be charged.
Football fans driving from Saudi Arabia to watch the FIFA World Cup matches in Qatar will have to leave their vehicles at the Qatar-Saudi border at Abu Samra.
Tournament organisers will operate a park and ride facility at Abu Samra, the Supreme Committee said, adding that fans should note that vehicles will only be allowed to enter Qatar under exceptional circumstances. A pre-booking system for parking at the border will be available from October 15, it added.
The Supreme Committee said a GCC air shuttle service will operate 94 rotations per day during the tournament. Shuttle service flights will land at Doha International Airport. Hamad International Airport will cater for flights arriving from outside the GCC region.
