The World Cup in Qatar is slowly creeping closer – 306 days and counting. As of today, interested supporters can register for the ticket sale of the much-discussed football party. How does it work exactly? What is the cost? And what about hotel reservations and corona? We provide answers to the most important questions.
How can I buy tickets?
The first of three World Cup ticket sales starts today. Fans can apply until February 8 via FIFA‘s official website.
There, supporters are offered three different options:
- Register for individual tickets up to and including the final (IMTs)
- A package where you can track one specific country (TSTs)
- A package where you visit four matches in different stadiums (FSTs)
At the latest 8 March the fans will receive an answer as to whether they will actually receive tickets. The allocation is done in full random.
After the official World Cup draw on April 1, when the full schedule is known, a second sales period will start. An ultimate sales moment with remaining tickets is also planned at a later date.
Also the Belgian Football Association will be allocated a specific part of the tickets for the loyal fans of the Red Devils. However, it is still awaiting communication from FIFA.
How much do the tickets cost?
First and foremost, there are the individual tickets, divided into three different price categories. Supporters can attend a group match at the World Cup in Qatar from as little as 58 euros.
That is about a third cheaper than the cheapest tickets in Russia four years ago. For the opening game, the prices exceptionally start from 258 euros. To attend the World Cup final you must pay a minimum of 526 euros.
Residents of Qatar also enjoy a special rate: from around 9 euros they can already attend a group match.
| Categories 1 | Categories 2 | Categories 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| opening match | 528 euro | 375 euro | 258 euro |
| Group matches | 187 euro | 140 euro | 58 euro |
| Eighth final | 234 euro | 176 euro | 82 euro |
| Quarter final | 364 | 246 euro | 176 euro |
| Semi finals | 817 euro | 563 euro | 305 euro |
| Finale | 1374 | 857 euro | 516 euro |
Besides, there are packages to track one specific country. If you want to experience the three group matches of the Red Devils in Qatar, you pay a minimum of 193 euros. That is more than if you bought the three tickets individually due to an administration fee.
Up to and including the eighth finals, that comes to 284 euros. And for the optimists: the entire way up to and including the final (7 matches) comes to a total of at least 1382 euros. If the chosen country plays fewer matches, you will be refunded the difference.
| Categories 1 | Categories 2 | Categories 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 matches | 620 euro | 465 euro | 193 euro |
| 4 matches | 815 euro | 658 euro | 284 euro |
| 7 matches | 3689 euro | 2493 euro | 1382 euro |
From packs with four matches in as many different stadiums start from 234 euros.
There are also VIP packages for sale via tournament sponsor Qatar Airways. To follow the Red Devils up to and including the quarter-finals (5 matches) you pay approximately 5,000 euros – excluding accommodation and flights. swallow.
The Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar recently had a festive opening.
Where can I stay?
Do not search online for available hotels in Qatar during the World Cup period – it is a futile effort. Only later this year will bookings be possible via a special website.
The organizing committee will take care of the rental of accommodations. It wants to avoid asking extortionate prices, but count on it anyway room rates of more than 100 euros per night during the World Cup.
The places will be limited anyway. You should know that the organization counts on approximately 1.3 million supporters from all over the world. On the other hand, the tourism department expects to be able to offer a total of only 130,000 rooms.
Less than half of those (50,000) are in hotels, a good portion of which have already been reserved by FIFA teams and VIPs. Qatar wants to avoid the construction of monster towers that will remain empty after the World Cup.
Alternatives are being worked on. Such as the Madinatna complex where 27,000 fans will be able to share apartments. Exclusive idyllic view, because around the “mini-village” is an 18-lane highway and 25 kilometers of desert. In addition, it will be possible to stay in two gigantic cruise ships with a total of 4,000 cabins.
Don’t forget to book your flight… For a direct ticket there and back the prices are already around 1,500 euros. With a stopover you can save a few hundred euros.
By the way, don’t forget that this year’s World Cup will take place from November 21 to December 18.
What about corona?
It is hoped that the pandemic will have eased by November, but that is of course not entirely certain. The safety measures will therefore not be communicated until later this year.
Recently a test event took place with the Arab Cup. Interestingly enough, spectators were required to be double vaccinated, but players were not. FIFA hopes for a more lenient arrangement for fans. Negotiations on this are still ongoing.
