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With one of the biggest sporting events happening in Qatar, the country’s reputation as a modern tourist destination has never been higher. Since the announcement of Qatar’s bid to host the tournament, the fast-growing nation has been trying to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
As you’ll soon learn, there’s an immense variety of things to do in Qatar during the World Cup, so read on for the best tips on how to experience it yourself. But before we cover the most exciting events and activities, here’s a quick rundown on the 22nd World Cup so far, including an update on which teams are in the lead.
The World Cup tournament will be played in 8 stadiums, all of which have been designed with sustainability in mind, and are expected to be certified as at least a 4-star facility by the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). These stadiums were built specifically for the World Cup and will be able to seat about 40,000 people on average.
The tournament will last 28 days, with 32 teams drawn into eight groups of four teams each. In the World Cup, the host nation and the seven strongest teams are placed in each of the eight groups. For a geographical spread, FIFA has defined six qualifying zones: Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Central America, with the Caribbean and Oceania included in the final selection. The 32 teams will be grouped into eight groups of four, with each group designated by the letters A-H.
Each team will play one match with the other three teams in its group and the two teams with the most points will advance to the next round. This means that a new 16-team line-up will be created from the previous 32-team configuration. The two best-performing teams then enter the knockout stage, where the winners from one group will face the runners-up in another group. After this, the winners of the knockout stage will enter the quarter-finals and then follow a single-elimination tournament until the final.
According to reports of current standings from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup, the Netherlands and Ecuador are currently leading Group A with 4 points each, while England and Iran are leading Group B with 4 points and 3 points respectively. Poland leads Group C, with Argentina and Saudi Arabia tied for second place at 3 points each. France is ranked first in Group D with Australia not too far behind at second place, with 3 points behind the French team. Japan and Costa Rica are tied for second place in Group E, while Spain has established itself as the lead team in Group E. Croatia and Morocco each have four points, making them tied for first place in Group F. Brazil and Switzerland are tied for first place in Group G with 3 points each. With South Korea and Uruguay tied for second place in Group H, Portugal remains in the lead.
To break any ties in the group stage, two teams will be compared in several categories. These include ‘head-to-head’ records, ‘goals scored’, and other statistics to determine which team advances to the knockout stage.
However, Qatar is not only hosting the 2022 World Cup; football fans will be overjoyed to know they can take part in the World Cup even when they’re not at the stadium. Fans with a competitive edge will enjoy the chance to prove their prowess against others in a series of five-a-side matches representing their country or team. This four-day Fans’ cup tournament will give fans a chance to get involved in the spirit of football and win amazing prizes along the way.
Qatar has been catering to the fans’ needs by providing not only a wide range of football-themed events, but also a variety of World Cup experiences. If you’re looking to make the most out of your trip, keep your eyes peeled for the Last Mile cultural activation, which includes performances and activities that contribute to the fun of your journey to the stadiums.
Besides its selection of football-themed events, Qatar has also been hosting a variety of special events outside of football, for fans to enjoy during the World Cup. Here are some more celebrations that feature in a wider initiative to showcase Qatar’s burgeoning entertainment industry.
Through Dec. 18
Join thousands of other people at the FIFA fan festival this summer, where food, games, giveaways and sports matches will be featured. Fans will be able to watch soccer matches from mega screens as well as hear music from some of the biggest names in music today like Sean Paul, Diplo, Patoranking, Kizz Daniel, Gims, Calvin Harris, Clean Bandit and more! There will also be many activations featuring from Hyundai, Qatar Airways and many more. But don’t forget to show your Hayya card upon entry!
Through Dec. 18
Described as Doha’s global street carnival, this celebration is an opportunity to experience Qatar like never before. The celebration at the Corniche will feature a daily “Welcome to Qatar” water and pyrotechnic show. The light show will engage the senses with a themed lighting display that changes colors and movements to create a visually stunning experience. Aside from that, the carnival will feature concerts on several stages, more than 150 food outlets serving local and international cuisines, family-friendly entertainment, and other shows showcasing the art and culture of Qatar. The event is public access.
Through Dec. 18
In addition to the hundreds of free events taking place in the vicinity of each stadium, there are also several activities that are open to Hayya ticket holders. The Lusail south promenade fan zone includes all FIFA matches being screened on mega screens, open ice skating, swan lake and sleeping beauty ice ballet shows, local bands and international acts as well as various other family friendly activities. This event is open to the public with an entry fee, though Hayya card holders are eligible for discounted tickets.
“Arcadia Electronic Music Festival”
Through Dec.19
The most immersive show organized for the World Cup, this festival promises to be one of the most memorable experiences for all spectators. The festival will feature three themed stages and over 150 performances from the most renowned international artists. A 50-tonne fire-breathing spider, lasers and pyrotechnics will immerse you in a world of massive balls of flame and stunning lights as you experience an amazing sound system. So, if you’re a fan of techno music, there’s no better place for you than this venue.
Through Dec. 18
Fun, dance music, incredible performances and tasty food. When you put all of those elements together at once, it’s no wonder that events like the one above are popular. Blending rave with Arabia together, get ready for 28 days of 56 spectacular acts featuring voices and acts from both international and regional talent. But that’s just the beginning. In more than 160 hours packed with global shows, you’ll also get bombarded by breathtaking backdrops and tasty food for purchase. All of these elements combined make for a unique experience: the party atmosphere, musicians and dancers all work together to create an unforgettable night. Located just 12 minutes from the Al Janoub stadium, admission to this event is ticketed, so be sure to get yours beforehand!
Dec 5 – Dec 18
The festival pairs international and local artists to create site-specific works in contemporary spaces and heritage sites. The performances, which will take place over 16 days and 10 locations, will combine art, architecture and music with dance. This festival will explore the role of movement in people’s lives, with a focus on the human body. This festival will use cutting-edge technology to transform and broadcast the movements of dancers and musicians around the world, as well as create an interactive experience that brings together people from different countries and cultures. Benjamin Millepied—former director of dance at the Paris Opera Ballet—will co-curate the event with composer Nico Muhly. Event admission ticket will be required so be sure to get tickets beforehand!
Listed above are just a few ways to help you turn your time in Qatar into a truly unforgettable experience. However, Qatar is a country that offers plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s historical and cultural attractions! From exploring landmarks such as Souq Waqif to venues for art and culture such as Katara Galleries and museums, Qatar’s well-known cultural sites offer many opportunities to connect with the country’s rich history and heritage as well as celebrate the presence of its international community.
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