Qatar World Cup 2022: announce the sale of a remnant of tickets and key changes for fans’ entry

Argentina, as we know, is one of the three countries with the highest demand for tickets for the Qatar World Cup 2022. Of course, not everyone could get theirs. Just over two months after the World Cup, the Supreme Committee organizing the competition has made two key announcements that open a door of hope for these fans: the sale of a residual number of tickets and the possibility of entering the country for those who don’t have their ticket

In a press conference at the extraordinary Lusail stadium, where the Argentine national team will debut on November 22 against Saudi Arabia, the highest representatives of the Committee specified that 2.5 million tickets have already been sold and that at the end of September the last 500 thousand tickets left will be sold through the FIFA page. In addition, they announced that towards the start of the World Cup they will also allow resale.

This time the passport for the World Cup will not be a traditional visa, but the so-called Hayya card. It is the official document that will allow entry to Qatar and can only be processed by those in possession of a ticket, hotel reservation and passport valid for six months. The key change is that anyone who processes it can invite three other family members or friends who don’t have tickets for matches. Of course, those other two people must have the app too, but as guests.

The Hayya, which is a kind of Qatar entry visa, will be valid from November 1st to December 31st and will have some perks such as free public transport on match days. Alerted of the problems that could cause not having the application “ready” upon entry into the country, the Committee assured that it will have staff at airports and other entry points to advise visitors. They also indicated that children under the age of 12 will be the only ones exempted from carrying out the procedure.

One of the points that generates more doubts is the availability of the accommodation. Qatar is a country of just 2,881 million inhabitants which expects the arrival of over 2 million fans for the World Cup. The need to generate spaces to welcome visitors is reflected in an area under constant construction. To allay the anxieties of fans who need housing to process the Hayya Card, the committee pointed this out Qatar will offer official accommodation for $ 80 as an optionbeyond the private offer.

Doubts continue with alcohol

Drinking a few drinks after a win or drowning in pain after a defeat, alcohol is a topic that fans do not go unnoticed. The organization warned that it will be totally forbidden to enter the country with alcoholic beverages and drink them outside fan zone qualified. What is guaranteed so far is that drinks can be consumed in these areas from 6.30pm to 1am. The Committee, on the other hand, avoided confirming the information announced by FIFA last Saturday on the possibility of buying beer in the eight stadiums where the World Cup will be played, before and after the matches.

The obstacles to the consumption of alcohol in the country in the east of the Arabian peninsula with a Muslim majority do not come with the World Cup. Only higher category hotels or certain licensed clubs can sell these drinks. A pint of beer in these places costs 40 to 60 riyals, or 10 to 15 dollars. Those who live in the country also have the opportunity to purchase alcohol in the two outlets of the Qatar Distribution Company, but always with a license that must be authorized by their employer, known in the country as sponsor.

With the Committee’s director general, Yasir Al-Jamal, at the helm, the organization’s authorities have been consulted over and over again on safety measures during the World Cup and on sanctions for those who do not respect the country’s rules. Without providing further details, they indicated that the country has security agreements with several countries and that they will ensure the safety of the fans.

They inaugurate the super stadium where the Argentine national team will make its debut

With a design that refers to the impressive crafts of the Arab world, the Lusail stadium prevails in the city of Doha like a large bowl carved in ocher and gold. The super stadium where the Argentina national team on November 22nd it will be officially inaugurated this Friday with a match between the Saudi Arabian champion, Al Hilal, directed by Ramón Díaz, and the Egyptian Zamalek, champion of the championship of that country.

The largest of the eight stadiums of the Qatar 2022 World Cup will host, in addition to the match against Saudi Arabia, also the match between Argentina and Mexico, on November 26, for the second date of the group stage, and the grand final of the World Cup on December 18. With a capacity of 80,000 people, the Lusail has a cooling system and a roof that protects the stadium the hot wind typical of the area and the entry of dust.

15 kilometers from downtown Doha, the “Jewel of the Desert” was completed at the end of 2021 and had a first “pilot” test on 12 August when it opened its doors in an event for 20,000 people.