With just 30 days left before the start of the Soccer World Cup of Qatar 2022, everything is ready for fans from all over the world, who will witness an authentic “festival” in the Arab country, according to what its organizers declared this week during a press conference, in which they insisted that everything is already “ prepared”.
“The infrastructures are prepared for the arrival of fans from all over the world. Taste is ready for the World Cup, the buses, the taxis are lighting up the city. This will be the best tournament for the fans,” said the director general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (organizer), Yasir Al Yamal.
Al Yamal participated in the press conference together with Colin Smith, head of World Cup operations; Bryan Swansson, director of media relations for the championship; and Nasser Al Khater, executive director of Qatar 2022.
The authorities reported that so far 2.89 million tickets have already been sold, with Mexico, Argentina and Brazil in the list of the first ten countries that have purchased the most tickets.
Additional events
These fans await, according to the authorities, “a large number of events” parallel to the soccer tournament that can be enjoyed in the Arab country.
“The fans will live an exceptional experience. For them we also have cultural activities, music festivals, and other activities, as well as the screens in the fan fests and in the centers for fans that have the Hayya card to enjoy the matches”, assured Al Khater.
In that sense, the authorities indicated that the FIFA Fan Fest in Al Bidda Park is expected to host more than 40,000 fans each day during the tournament.
That space will be free and will screen live matches, host world-renowned artists and offer football activities, along with other paid entertainment options.
alcohol available
The organizers confirmed, through the mouth of Al Jamal, that “alcohol will be available in some fan zones and at the FIFA Fan Festival”, while in the stadiums, “Budweiser zero” will be available.
This possibility arose after criticism of the organization due to fears that the strict Islamic observance that prevails in Qatar, and that among other things prevents the consumption of alcohol, could tarnish the development of the championship.
For Smith, that will not be a problem and he said that “everyone who comes is going to enjoy the local hospitality. We only hope that people also respect their culture, as it is something that happens in all countries. FIFA and Qatar are very committed so that everyone has a fantastic experience.”
The head of communication for the event also pointed out that there are already 1.5 million applicants for the Hayya card, the mandatory pass to attend matches and enter the country without a visa, who will be able to solve any problem they have with it at each stadium. in so-called “problem solving centers”.
With the Hayya you will be able to travel freely on public transport and attend fan events.
At the gates of the event, the authorities pointed out that the Japanese team, Spain’s last rival in the group stage of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, will be the first to settle in the country for the competition on November 7.
