Meriam Jelliti
Doha
It is indisputable that residents and citizens of Qatar, particularly the young, were deeply involved in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, either through the matches or the events associated with the tournament. Now many are wondering how they would cope with the “after World Cup” days as the reality of the great event’s end is beginning to sink in.
Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup with outstanding preparations and management provided an unprecedented atmosphere, allowing the whole world to follow the matches and be part of the biggest sporting event, from daily shows and spectacular fan zones to world class stadiums and television broadcasts. Everyone was involved in one way or the other, and the fans were preoccupied with these matches so much so that it became the new normal in their minds.
“The pace of life that everyone was accustomed to during the past month has become somehow irreplaceable. Qatar was an open arena and a vast meeting place for citizens and residents, as well as with visitors, which resulted in long nights in front of screens at fan zones, cafes, restaurants and public areas. For many, this was an everyday plan from morning till next dawn,” said John Meranda, a FIFA volunteer and a resident of Qatar.
“At the same time, the city’s rhythm changed from quiet streets at night to lively and packed venues at all time, especially in wee hours. If you go to the Pearl or Lusail, you would find beautiful crowds filled with enthusiasm,” he said.
“The most prominent question at present in the minds of the vast majority is ‘what are we going to do after the World Cup?’ During the World Cup days everyone used to ask questions such as who will attend the match in the stadium today? Or, where are we going to finish the evening after the match?” said Ahmad Sultan, an Egyptian photographer.
Sultan confirmed that he lived “the experience of a lifetime during the World Cup”, as he describes it, but he prefers to return to the normal life he used to live before the World Cup. “I lack hours of sleep and rest.”
However, his colleague Muhammad Younes, a Tunisian photographer who lives in Qatar, is of the opinion that “Qatar that never sleeps is the most beautiful”.
They both affirmed their feeling of emptiness and an undiagnosed depression after the end of the event, after they lived about 30 days of passion, excitement and joy, as it was an exceptional event that is repeated only once every four years.
They added, “We, as the audience, always felt as if the tournament was not going to end, and it was the new normal, because everyone was enjoying the atmosphere moment by moment, and trying to attend as many events as possible.”
The end of the tournament, without a doubt, will leave a great void, and a citizen Sara obaidly thinks the same. “Everyone was watching the World Cup matches; even those who were not fans of football were watching it as it is an exceptional event that is repeated only once every four years,” she said.
Al Obaidly indicated that all people have begun to return to their normal lives after experiencing the World Cup with all its momentum and exciting events, whether in terms of the matches or the atmosphere accompanying the tournament.
She added: “If somebody is watching a big event like the World Cup, and suddenly he finds that the event has ended, he will feel empty.”
