Qatar 2022 - Anyone going?

[slf2012]

I work in Qatar and am hearing about the requirements to attend the WC matches,

Basically, you need to buy tickets, then apply for a Hayya card which allows you to secure accommodation and gains you entry to the country, Once there, accommodation seems to range from $180 per night portacabins to $800 per night cruise ships.

With beer in Doha currently at £12 per pint, Xmas just around the corner, interest rates going up, and a general cost of living crisis ongoing, is anyone planning on going?

[RichTT]

Working here as well offshore. Flying in the 15th Nov and not departing until the 30th Dec so hoping to miss all the madness onshore.

But if I was a footy fan I really wouldn't be travelling here for it.

[hilly10]

I would not go even it was all paid for. I can see it being a massive flop to be honest.

[PurpleTurtle]

I was just looking at some of the rules and regs online. As far as I can make out (happy to stand corrected):

1) Alcohol only available in hotels, bars and official fanzones
2) Alcohol only served after 6:30pm
3) Only beer available is Budweiser (official corporate sponsor)

Whilst I know it's not mandatory to combine alcohol and watching sport, it is one of life's small pleasures to meet up with mates, have a few beers and enjoy the game. Some of us even enjoy doing that with opposing fans and not knocking seven bells out of each other.

It all seems rather massively joyless to me. I'll be watching in the pub at home!

[S600BSB]

Wouldn't go there to watch football if you paid me.

[Shaoxter]

Yep, going to see Brazil vs Cameroon and a knockout round (runner up in England group vs winner of another group). £1500 for flights, tickets and accommodation shared between 3 people which isn't too bad I think. A nice winter getaway to a warm place with the guys away from family, what's not to like

Don't really care for alcohol, would happily abstain for a few days if it means less rowdy behaviour overall.

[hilly10]

Shaoxter said:

Yep, going to see Brazil vs Cameroon and a knockout round (runner up in England group vs winner of another group). £1500 for flights, tickets and accommodation shared between 3 people which isn't too bad I think. A nice winter getaway to a warm place with the guys away from family, what's not to like

Don't really care for alcohol, would happily abstain for a few days if it means less rowdy behaviour overall.

Enjoy

[lyricalgangster]

Nope, I wouldn't go if it was paid for.

And Budweiser is my least favourite lager, so that alone would stop me going!

[Shaoxter]

Got back a few days ago and I have to say, it was brilliant and I'm glad I didn't listen to the MSM negativity.
The whole thing was really well organised, there's tonnes of people pointing you to the right places and they were all very enthusiastic and interacted with the fans. Free public transport and free local sim cards was a nice bonus.

Atmosphere in the stadiums was great although the fans were generally a bit more on the casual side. Lack of alcohol was one of the best things - no fights, no throwing up on the streets, no half naked men with their beer bellies hanging out.

Doha itself is really a tale of two cities, one for the Qatari citizens and one for the workers. You have areas of posh hotels and nice cafes and restaurants but the rest of the place is a little underdeveloped (but hardly a slum either). I can't help but think a lot of the areas will be complete ghost towns after the world cup, but better to have the infrastructure in place than not I suppose.

Would I ever go back for leisure purposes? Not really, it just feels like a worse Dubai at the moment. But I'm definitely happy I went for this world cup.