With the 2022 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, fans may be busy making bookings and dusting their backpacks for a Middle Eastern vacation.
According to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, around 3 million tickets have already been sold as of October 2022. That leaves less than 7% of seats still up for grabs. The capital city of Doha is also preparing to accommodate more than 1.2 million visitors for the tournament, with 240,000 accommodation packages already reserved.
Are you one of those excited about the FIFA World Cup 2022? Travel tips for UK fans advised by top travel sites and the UK government can help you experience it as comfortably as possible.
1. Keep all documents handy
For any excursion to a foreign country, it is best always to keep all your identification and necessary documents with you. In a country like Qatar, you should have both your original paperwork and a hard copy that you can submit to a hotel or travel agency. Sure, you can also have a digital backup on a cloud service, but the authorities within the country usually don't deem it valid.As for the visa requirements, you can stay in Qatar on a 30-day tourist visa waiver. Since the 2022 World Cup will occur for 28 days, you can travel in and out of the country without applying for a visa. Still, be ready to present your UK passport and Hayya card upon request.
2. Check the COVID-19 travel guidelines
Although most of the world has adjusted to the pandemic and lifted lockdowns, Qatar is serious about an outbreak, and an influx of tourists makes the Ministry of Public Health quite nervous. Before entering Qatar, it is best to have a negative COVID test report ready. An RT-PCR test is valid for 48 hours, whereas a rapid antigen test remains valid for 24 hours.Keep in mind that self-administered test kits are not valid. So, you should book an appointment with your local clinic before boarding your flight. The organizers have also released a guide for international visitors to remind them of the required policies.
3. Update your travel insurance
Getting injured on your trip can prove expensive for travellers. Thus, it is best that FIFA fans will double-check whether their insurance policy covers your trip. In case of an emergency, medical treatment in Qatar won't disappoint you. However, you must pay a QAR 50 premium for healthcare services. Private options are also available, yet expensive.4. Research on Qatar's culture and geography
Qatar is a country with different laws and cultures than what you might find in the UK. To not offend anyone or break any rules by accident, read local laws and customs to know what you can expect. You don't need to stress out too much, as Doha is a progressive city with many pubs and places of interest you can check out between matches.5. Subscribe to a travel alert service
The fluid political situation with the countries close to Qatar can ruin your Middle East excursion. Therefore, it is best to subscribe to a travel alert service that can notify you of the most recent updates. The UK government operates an email service that sends news of relevant developments to all British nationals overseas. You can subscribe to it and other online resources to modify your travel plan accordingly.6. Pack Light
You don't need to pack your entire living room during your travels to Qatar. Even if you're planning a month-long stay, you should fill no more than two luggage items, ideally one backpack and one suitcase.Try to avoid carrying valuables or too much cash. Doha accepts electronic transactions at most outlets, and you can buy clothes and accessories from the local market at surprisingly low prices.
For fans watching back in the UK
Of course, not everyone will get the chance to visit Qatar and see the glorious matches first-hand. UK residents can watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 through BBC. So, you can sit back and relax while you root for your favourites.It is also possible to watch FIFA through online streaming platforms. The best three options for UK fans are Peacock, BBC iPlayer, and ITV Hub. You can watch the tournament on any device you like, whether a smartphone or TV.
If unfortunately, you have scheduled a trip abroad during the tournament, you will need to find the official broadcaster in that country. If you don't have access to television, you can still watch FIFA World Cup on the streaming services mentioned before. If you need help accessing them, try installing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and connecting to servers back home.
