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The FIFA World Cup 2022 is approaching fast and soccer fans across the globe will soon be heading to Qatar to cheer their nation on.
With 32 countries being involved in the tournament, Qatar will be expecting thousands to arrive in the Middle Eastern country.
While getting to Qatar is not much of a logistical nightmare, there could be a few issues for supporters once they arrive in the country, as well as varying degrees of financial burden while staying in the state.
The World Cup was moved to the winter for this tournament after it was awarded to Qatar due to the searing heat of their summer as daily temperatures from June to September exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
With the tournament running from November 20 to December 18, the daytime temperature averages between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius (75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Robert Blaszczyk, head of Strategic Clients Department at Conotoxia, has looked into some of the logistics surrounding watching the World Cup in Qatar and has shared his findings with Newsweek.
Visas
Blaszczyk said: "What is important is that supporters wishing to cross Qatar's borders will need a Hayya Card instead of a visa.
"An application for such a document can be submitted at Qatar2022.qa."
The World Cup organizers have explained: "You need this card to enter the State of Qatar, access the stadiums, travel for free on public transport and enjoy a host of other benefits."
Tickets
While most tickets have already been snapped up, there will be some still on sale throughout the tournament but the allocation of these will see Qatari residents at the top of the pile.
Blaszczyk said: "The cheapest tickets in the stands are reserved for Qatari residents.
"Visitors from abroad can buy individual tickets for group-stage matches priced between 250 and 800 Qatari riyals. In the knockout phase, prices rise to 2,200-5,850 riyals."
Blaszczyk continued: "For 1 riyal, you have to pay about $0.27, which means that for the cheapest single ticket for a group match, according to today's rates, you will pay about $69, while for the most expensive one, you will already pay close to $220.
"The cheapest ticket for a cup match will cost more than $600, while a more comfortable seat will cost more than $1,600."
Flights and Fuel Prices
The airline companies know that demand for flights to Qatar in November/December may exceed normal expectation; hence ticket prices are also skyrocketing.
For round-trip flights from New York to Doha, one person will pay at least $1,600.
However, the exact price depends on the date and the number of days spent there.
Gas, on the other hand, is cheap in Qatar, with a liter costing around 1.9 riyals, or around $0.52.
Fans from the United States also won't have to worry about sudden price volatility either.
Bartosz Sawicki, Conotoxia market analyst, explained to Newsweek: "You say riyal, and you think U.S. dollar. This is because the exchange rate of the Qatari currency is permanently pegged to the dollar.
"This is bad news for fans visiting the country on the Persian Gulf, as in recent weeks the exchange rate of the U.S. currency is very high."
Food and Drink
Alcohol will be restricted in the country as there are strict laws governing the sale of it. For the World Cup, there will be some exceptions made for soccer fans, but prices will still be quite prohibitive.
You can expect to pay about $12 for a meal in a bar, about $7 for a burger, about $10 for a half pint of beer in a market and about $14 dollars in a pub.
Car Rental and Accommodation
Car rental prices are thought to be starting at around $50 per day.
Blaszczyk said: "A night in a hotel room could be booked for as little as $50... if it were not for the fact that, for example, on the Booking.com platform, all accommodation is not available during the World Cup period.
"Therefore, the World Cup organizers are preparing a plan B: cabins on cruise ships docked in the port of Doha.
"An agency for international fans at qatar2022.qa may also be helpful in the accommodation search, and of course, private accommodation is also on offer."
How To Pay in Qatar
Blaszczyk told Newsweek: "Above all, don't overpay. Riyal can be difficult to get at most U.S. exchange offices—both land-based and online.
"A more convenient solution seems to be multi-currency cards, preferably from fintechs.
"Not only do they allow transactions in most currencies of the world, but they also make it cost-effective to withdraw cash from ATMs. One can only wish the supporters to use the cards until the Grand Final."
