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The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than two months, and the official UAE agent has already reported record ticket sales. Here’s a quick guide for UAE residents looking to play in the world’s biggest football tournament in Qatar.
When is the game?
The match kicks off on November 20 at 8pm UAE time with Qatar v Ecuador in the opener at the Al Bayt Stadium. This is the official match schedule (fifa.com), which is based on Arab Standard Time, one hour behind the UAE. There will be 64 matches over four weeks and the winner will be determined in the final, which will take place at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday 18 December at 7pm UAE time.
Do you still have tickets?
Yes. Alan Holt, Managing Director of Expat Sport, which exclusively sells tickets for the official FIFA World Cup match entertainment in the UAE, said: “Some of the most popular matches such as the finals, opening ceremonies, games in Portugal and Argentina are almost sold out but still have tickets. We are the most popular in the UAE. A welcome package for residents is the quarter-finals, where you can watch the world’s top teams play over a long weekend: Friday 9 December and Saturday 10 December.
How can I buy tickets?
The public can purchase World Cup tickets in two ways. They can purchase Match Hospitality tickets through Expat Sport, the exclusive agent in the UAE, which includes a Category 1 seat with a view of the stadium, as well as four hours of food and drink inside the stadium. For more information, visit www.ExpatSportFIFAWorldCupHospitality.com
Or visit FIFA.com and sign up for the last minute sale stage to get your last chance to buy regular grandstand seats. Sales Stage (fifa.com)
How much are the match tickets?
Match Hospitality tickets start at $950 per person and include food and beverages for 4 hours, including alcoholic beverages in class 1 seating.
For UAE residents, regular grandstand seats in FIFA’s last minute sale phase start from QAR 250 for Category 3 tickets – ticket prices (fifa.com)
Should I wait to see if the price will drop?
Absolutely not, as availability could soon become an issue, according to Holt. Price-wise, FIFA has set pricing for all tickets and it’s the same worldwide, so there won’t be any price cuts closer to match time.
How do I know my ticket is legal?
To ensure your tickets are only legal, please purchase them through FIFA.com during their last minute sale stage or through Expat Sport, the official UAE exclusive agent. If in any doubt, please check the official appointment letter from the company that provided you with your ticket or go to Sales Agent | MATCH Hospitality, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to check if they are listed.
How do I get to Qatar?
For football fans wanting to travel to Qatar from the UAE, there are two recommended ways, all of which require the visitor to have a Hayya card.
Air
For journeys of just over an hour, flying remains the most popular option. Flydubai, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Etihad Airways have daily flights. Flydubai offers matchday shuttles from DWC to DIA, which can be purchased directly through their website or through Expat Sport, who have signed up for 5,000 shuttles at convenient times depending on the race. Daily shuttle flights mean passengers are limited to 7kg of hand luggage and must return to Dubai within 24 hours of departure. Fares and availability of flights are changing rapidly, so those who have not yet booked are strongly advised to book as soon as possible.
road
For those who prefer, it is possible to get to Qatar from the UAE by car if you have all the necessary documents. These include Qatar and Saudi Hayya cards, entry visas, insurance and driving permits. The journey is approximately 550 kilometers and takes 5 to 6 hours from Abu Dhabi and 6 to 7 hours from Dubai, depending on border controls. However, this does require travellers to park on the Saudi side of the Abu Samrai land border and take the free B811 shuttle to Al Messila Metro Station in central Doha. Seats on the B811 bus must be reserved in advance and passengers are required to provide an estimated time of arrival. This can be done on the Hayya to Qatar 2022 mobile app.
Is there any accommodation in Doha?
Yes, there are still places available, but that’s changing rapidly. Expat Sport is the UAE’s exclusive sales agent for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Official Match Hospitality Programme, still offering 4- and 5-star hotels upon request.
What is a Hayya card and how can I get one?
The Hayya Card or Fan ID is a pre-approved entry permit that is mandatory for everyone visiting Qatar between 1 November 2022 and 23 January 2023. This is for day-trippers and fans with accommodation, and can only be accessed with an official match ticket. It will serve as your entry permit (not visa) to enter Qatar, the right to use the stadium (with a valid ticket) and free public transport on the metro and buses.
During the FIFA World Cup, only one Hayya card is required per person. Visitors must apply (https://hayya.qatar2022.qa/web/hayya/home embed) for a Hayya card before arriving in Qatar. Download the Hayya app and your card will be available upon approval.
https://hayya.qatar2022.qa/web/hayya/home
What are the travel requirements around COVID?
Organisers recently said that all fans aged six and over attending the World Cup in Qatar must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status. The test can be PCR within 48 hours of departure or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival. Both need to come from an official medical center, not self-administered. GCC nationals and residents over 18 will be required to download Ehteraz, a government-run contact tracing app much like the UAE’s Alhosn app.
As with the recent COVID changes in the UAE, Qatar only requires masks on public transport, airports or at staff. Visitors are advised to wear masks to ensure they can do so if they need to.
As travel information is constantly changing, tourists are encouraged to check the latest guidance and advice from the Qatar Ministry of Public Health for their airline of choice when travelling.
travel in doha
Hayya card will provide tourists with free transportation to and from sports venues Doha Metro. Passengers arriving at Doha International Airport (DIA) can take the Gold Line directly into Doha city centre and then take the Red Line back to Al Matar Al Qadeem Metro Station near the airport. During the World Cup season, subway services will continue to run from 6am-3am Saturday-Thursday and 9am-3am Friday.
Uber and Careem are available in Qatar, and tourists can also use the 24-hour Karwa public airport taxi service, which has been expanded to accommodate the World Cup.
14 Nov – 18 Dec 2022, freePrivate car transfer service Will travel around central Doha to facilitate access to various events and FIFA Fan Festival™.
For more information on all of the above, please visit https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/getting-around
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