World Cup fever was in full swing as hundreds of supporters gathered at the fan zone in Dubai Media City on Sunday evening.
Football fans from all parts of the world mingled and soaked up the atmosphere ahead of the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
All the talk among supporters was about who would win the tournament and how far their own nations would get in the competition.
Other fans wondered aloud how they could get tickets for certain games while others asked if they should sell theirs and stay in Dubai instead to watch the action.
I have been waiting for this day for so very long. I think we will definitely cause a few scares
Mohamed Halouet,
Tunisia fan
“I’m going to be staying in the UAE to watch the matches from here,” said Mexican engineer Javier Rosell, 41, who was wearing a UAE jersey, despite being a staunch supporter of his home nation.
“There will be a much better atmosphere at the fan zones and it will also be cheaper than flying over there.”
In keeping with the surreal nature of a winter world cup, the crowd in the Media City amphitheatre was treated to a song from Santa Claus before kick-off — followed by Christmas music piped out over footage of previous world cups.
Estate agent Grant Holden, who wore a Bradford City shirt, his hometown club, said he was travelling for England’s game against the USA on Friday — but there was a slight hitch.
“I don’t have a ticket yet for the game. If anyone knows anybody selling one please let me know,” said the 48-year-old.
“I am still going over though because the atmosphere will be amazing.”
Dubai-Doha flights too pricey for most
Brazilian supporter Paulo Areas, 46, said the fan zone was a perfect opportunity for him to meet new people as it was only his third day in Dubai after moving here.
“I am looking forward to the atmosphere here and having the opportunity to meet new people,” said Mr Areas, who works in advertising.
“It’s a great opportunity to sample the atmosphere of the World Cup.
“I have a ticket to go over for the game between Brazil and Cameroon but I am not sure if I wouldn’t be better selling it and watching from here — the flights are so expensive.”
Daily shuttle flight prices from Dubai to Doha are in the Dh2,500 to Dh6,000 range. Some flights out of Abu Dhabi are cheaper, in the Dh1,500 to D2,500 range.
Just because fans were wearing shirts from certain countries did not mean they were from there.
Sergi Basteda, 37, was wearing the famed blue-and-white striped Argentina jersey. When this journalist said he must be from Argentina, there was a swift correction.
“No I am from Barcelona! I am wearing this because of Leo Messi,” said the Spanish finance manager.
“I just love football and am not supporting any particular team though.
“I do think my home nation will get the quarter-finals at least.”
Tunisian Mohamed Halouet, 38, had no qualms about sporting his country’s shirt.
“I have been waiting for this day for so very long,” he said.
“I live in Dubai and will probably watch all the games from over here as I haven’t had the opportunity to get tickets.
“As for my own country, I think we will definitely cause a few scares.”
Ardziv Mano, 42, said he would be supporting the Netherlands in the tournament, despite hailing from Armenia.
“I grew up watching players like Ronald Koeman and Ruud van Nistelrooy,” said the IT specialist.
“I’m looking forward to watching the tournament. If you ask me, the winner will be one of Brazil, Argentina or France.”
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJustine%20Triet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESandra%20Huller%2C%20Swann%20Arlaud%2C%20Milo%20Machado-Graner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
FIVE%20TRENDS%20THAT%20WILL%20SHAPE%20UAE%20BANKING
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
