The buzz around the Fifa World Cup 2022 is growing louder, with about a month to go before the opening clash between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
Now, the focus has shifted to the hosts and the scores of fans who will descend upon the Gulf country for the month-long football carnival.
Entry rules to the country were recently relaxed after it was authorities originally announced that only those with match tickets would be allowed to enter Qatar during the World Cup.
With hotel room availability at a premium, organisers have hired a third cruise ship to accommodate the seemingly insatiable demand for space from fans.
When does the World Cup 2022 start?
The World Cup 2022 begins on November 20 with the match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. The final - the 64th match of the tournament - will take place on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.
What are the categories of tickets?
Tickets in various categories have been made available to fans. Category 1 is the highest-priced seating, in prime areas within the stadium. Category 4 tickets are reserved for residents of Qatar, including Qatari nationals and those with work permits.
Also, Accessibility tickets have been provided for fans in wheelchairs or with mobility issues.
The most expensive ticket is for Category 1 seating at the final, which is 5,850 Qatari rials (approximately $1,600). The most expensive ticket at the previous World Cup in Russia was $1,100 for the final.
Tickets were made available online at FIFA.com/tickets.
Qatar World Cup 2022 match tickets cost:
Opening match: Category 1 tickets - 2,250 Qatari rials (approximately $617); Category 2 - QAR 1,600 ($440); Category 3 - QAR 1,100 ($302), Category 4 - QAR 200 ($54); Accessibility QAR 200 ($54)
Other group stage matches: Category 1 - QAR 800 ($220); Category 2 - QAR 600 ($165); Category 3 - QAR 250 ($69); Category 4 - QAR 40 ($10); Accessibility QAR 40 ($10)
Round of 16: Category 1 - QAR 1,000 ($275); Category 2 - QAR 750 ($205); Category 3 - QAR 350 (around $96); Category 4 - QAR 70 ($19); Accessibility QAR 70 ($19)
Quarter-finals: Category 1 - QAR 1,550 ($425); Category 2 - QAR 1,050 ($288); Category 3 - QAR 750 ($205); Category 4 - QAR 300 ($82); Accessibility QAR 300 ($82)
Semi-finals: Category 1 - QAR 3,480 ($955); Category 2 - QAR 2,400 ($660); Category 3 - QAR 1,300 ($357); Category 4 - QAR 500 ($137); Accessibility QAR 500 ($137)
Third-place playoff: Category 1 - QAR 1,550 ($425); Category 2 - QAR 1,100 ($302); Category 3 - QAR 750 ($205); Category 4 - QAR 300 ($82); Accessibility QAR 300 ($82)
Final: Category 1 - QAR 5,850 ($1606); Category 2 - QAR 3,650 ($1002); Category 3 tickets - QAR 2,200 ($605); Category 4 - QAR 750 ($205); Accessibility QAR 750 ($205)
How many tickets have been sold?
According to Fifa, nearly 2.9 million tickets have been sold for the World Cup, with about seven per cent of seats still available.
Are there more tickets available?
According to Fifa, tickets for the general public are available over the counter at Fifa's Main Ticketing Centre at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from October 18, 2022.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
