| * FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 just about a month away * Over-the-counter ticket sales begin today at DECC * International Consular Services centre to be opened at DECC, with 90 staff members from 45 embassies * 30,000 rooms added to Qatar Accommodation Agency in line with last-minute ticket sales * 2.89mn tickets sold for 64 matches so far * Organisers announce launch of ticketing app, advise public to keep checking FIFA.com/tickets for latest inventory * Qatar 2022 to be 'a tournament of peace and unity', says Infantino * Japan first team to arrive on Nov 7 * QNCC to host International Broadcast Centre and Main Media Centre, which will house a 'virtual stadium' * 89% of volunteers are Qatar residents |
Hosts Qatar will kick off the World Cup on November 20 at Al Bayt Stadium against Ecuador and the ticket sales for the tournament – the first in the Middle East and Arab world – have been fast approaching the 3mn mark, the organisers said at a press conference Monday.
 FIFA president Gianni Infantino |
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was in Kuala Lumpur Monday attending the AFC meeting, praised Qatar in a video message for its preparation to host the World Cup. “We have always said that Qatar will deliver the best ever edition of the FIFA World Cup. And as you look around the country today, at the state-of-the-art stadiums, the training pitches, the metro, the wider infrastructure, everything is ready and everyone is welcome. The world is excited. Qatar is ready. The stage is set. Together, we will deliver the best World Cup ever on and off the field,” said Infantino.
He added that the World Cup should be "a tournament of peace and unity – one that brings the world together after some difficult times". The Swiss reiterated what the Qatari authorities have been saying for a long time. "And let me repeat it clearly, everyone will be welcomed to the tournament," Infantino said.
At the press conference Monday, FIFA's World Cup chief operating officer Colin Smith along with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) director-general Yasir al-Jamal and Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser al-Khater provided an update on operations related to the tournament.
Smith said there was huge demand for tickets as he urged fans to keep checking FIFA.com/tickets for the latest inventory as more tickets continue to be released between now and the end of the tournament.
Regarding ticket purchases, the top 10 countries in terms of the residency of buyers are Qatar, US, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, UAE, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany.
Smith also announced the launch of a ticketing app – FIFA World Cup 2022 Tickets – where users can access their tickets, change their information and send them to others with ease. From this week, ticket holders will receive an email with information on how to download the ticketing app and retrieve their mobile tickets.
The long-awaited counter sales of physical tickets will also begin today at the first of two ticketing centres that will open at DECC.
He also stressed that the World Cup is inclusive for everyone. All sites will cater to fans of all needs and abilities, including stadiums, with sensory rooms or facilitated access.
An International Consular Services centre will be opened at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) with 90 staff members from 45 embassies, who will be on hand to assist fans. Located in DECC Hall 4, it will be open from November 1 to December 25. The timings will be from 10am to 10pm.
Infantino, meanwhile, said 240,000 hospitality packages had been sold for the month-long tournament, making it the "most successful hospitality programme ever". Some 63% of the sales are international and 37% local.
Al-Jamal said 2mn room nights have been sold and that additional 30,000 rooms have been added to the inventory to accommodate last-minute ticket sales. The biggest variety of accommodation is available from the Qatar Accommodation Agency, where rooms can be booked from $80 per person, per night based on two-person occupancy. Accommodation options include hotels, apartments and fan villages.
Al-Jamal also revealed more than 100,000 visitors have registered to stay with families and friends during the World Cup.
Al-Khater provided details on exciting entertainment options prepared for visitors. The FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park will host up to 40,000 fans every day during the tournament. It will be free to attend and screen live matches, host globally-renowned artists and feature football activities. There will also be a range of local and international food and beverage options.
In addition, the 6km Corniche Activation from Sheraton Park to the Museum of Islamic Art will feature roving performances, retail stores and food and beverage kiosks. Other activities will include the daily ‘Welcome to Qatar’ show – a water and pyrotechnics display that will feature music from the Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, Qatari composer Wael Binali and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Theme park rides and other attractions at Al Maha Island, Lusail, will also be open to fans, as will the Ras Abu Aboud 974 Beach Club, the Hayya Fan Zone at Lusail South Promenade and the QetaiFAN Beach Fest. Dance music fans will flock to the 15,000-capacity Arcadia Spectacular and 5,000-capacity ARAVIA by MDL BEAST. In addition, Last-Mile Cultural Activations will feature more than 6,000 performances in 21 locations, entertaining fans on their way to stadiums.
“Qatar is ready to host a global celebration of the beautiful game. We look forward to welcoming fans and players from across the world as they sample our welcoming hospitality, vast array of entertainment options and, of course, top-class international football. It promises to be a unique edition of the FIFA World Cup – and one that will leave a lasting, positive impact on Qatar, the Middle East and the Arab world,” al-Khater said.
There will be 90+ sites and attractions to visit for fans, including roaming activities at locations like Souq Waqif and Msheireb. "This will be a fan experience like no other," said al-Khater.
Meanwhile, it was pointed out that there are multiple options for all eventualities if fans are not able to show their Hayya Card at stadiums on their mobile phones.
There will be charging stations at the Hayya Resolution Centre or fans may opt to have their physical card scanned to gain entry.
On the security arrangements during the World Cup, al-Khater said Qatar has signed agreements with several countries to contribute to policing and security arrangements. “We have set up an International Police Co-ordination Centre (IPCC). It is not a foreign concept. Many major international sporting events have a centralised policing unit working together. There will be fans from all over the world descending on Qatar during the World Cup and it makes sense to have policing units especially from those countries whose fans are coming here,” the Qatar 2022 CEO said.
Meanwhile, Smith, replying to a query regarding unfair criticism of Qatar related to workers' welfare, said the global football body believes in “dialogue over boycott”.
“FIFA's been very clear on this point and over the years, we believe dialogue over boycott, we see the power and strength of the World Cup as a catalyst for change in the region. In Qatar we have been working hand in hand with the authorities over many years and worthwhile organizations have recognized the progress that has been made,” he said.
“This is a World Cup for everyone, we are tremendously excited to welcome everyone from all nationalities here to come and celebrate the festival of football which brings the world together - that's the power of events like the FIFA World Cup which can do that. We, therefore, believe in positive dialogue and approach and in bringing people together. Let’s unify everyone here in Qatar in celebration in what's going to be an absolutely amazing event,” Smith added.
Smith said Japan will be the first team to arrive in Qatar for the tournament on November 7. The World Cup CEO also said the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) will host the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Media Centre and will house 12,300 members of the media whether print, broadcast, online and radio. For the very first time in FIFA World Cup history there will be a 'virtual stadium' for members of the media working from QNCC where they can have a total immersive match and stadium experience.
“We operate over 168 official sites through the compact nature of Qatar, and each one of these sites is essential to the running and successful delivery of this World Cup. Way beyond testing the eight stadiums, the volunteers and accreditation centres are fully operational, with the ticketing centre at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre opening tomorrow and the International Broadcast Centre and Main Media Centre to follow. I can only reiterate FIFA’s confidence and deep appreciation for all the work preparing to deliver the best FIFA World Cup ever in just over one month's time,” said Smith.
Regarding volunteers, there were over 420,000 registrations from 209 nationalities for volunteers, of whom 20,000 were selected. The average age of volunteers is 33 years, with Qatar residents accounting for 89% of the total number of volunteers and the remaining 11% have been selected from international applicants.
