Two savvy football fans who saved up thousands of air miles to pay for flights and hotels are counting down the days until making their trip of a lifetime to follow Mexico at the Qatar World Cup.
Danny and Laurie Navarro, who live in Washington DC, will live in the UAE for two weeks and travel to Doha to catch the Canada against Morocco match on December 1 at the Thumama Stadium, 12 kilometres outside the city.
During their stay, the couple hope to take in a Mexico game if they can buy tickets.
They are among tens of thousands of fans planning to travel to the Gulf, many for the first time, to be part of the largest sporting event held in the Middle East.
Smart spending
However, attending the tournament can come with a high price tag, with record demand for tickets, flights and limited accommodation.
Thanks to months of planning, the trip will cost Colombia fan Danny and his Mexican wife Laurie hardly anything thanks to air miles accumulated over the past 12 months.
“We put all our wedding expenses on to our credit cards, and all other everyday spending, and did the responsible thing by paying off the balance each month,” said Mr Navarro, a Tottenham Hotspur fan.
“We did some research, and it was clear early on that with the numbers hoping to travel, it could be an issue securing accommodation in Doha so we decided to stay in the UAE.
“There are plenty of hotels, so it is practical and there are ways to use air miles to travel from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Doha, without breaking the bank.
“The prices of flights have been pretty crazy. It will be our first World Cup so we are very excited.”
The couple have visited Dubai before, when they stopped over on the way to Bali for their honeymoon in 2019.
It was after this trip that they realised they could use travel credit cards to fund future holidays using air miles.
Their Instagram page LatinosWithPassports offers cash-saving tips to travellers and includes a World Cup travel guide.
Flying visit
Mexico launch their World Cup campaign against Poland on November 22, followed by games against Argentina four days later and Saudi Arabia on November 30.
“We are trying to get tickets for a Mexico game, and take advantage of the single match-day visit, which grants a 24-hour visa,” Mr Navarro said.
“That will allow us to fly into Doha for the game, and fly back to the UAE that day.
“We have hotel points and miles that will let us stay in the UAE.
“Logistically, a lot of people have been put off travelling to Qatar, but they haven’t given much thought to flying elsewhere in the region, like the UAE, Saudi, Oman or Bahrain.”
The couple plan to fly from Abu Dhabi to Doha with Etihad.
The flight would have cost about $3,000 to $4,000 (Dh11,000 to Dh14,500), but thanks to the 30,000 air miles accumulated with Etihad's affiliated partner, Air Canada, it is on the house.
Miles were gathered over a year of everyday spending, with a monthly budget of $6,000 to $7,000 to pay for bills, groceries and other spending on the couple’s American Express Gold and Capital One Venture X credit cards.
They also picked up referral bonuses from banks offering incentives of up to 30,000 miles for introducing customers.
Hotel rooms are booked at the Four Point Sheraton in Dubai and the Aloft Palm Jumeirah and the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi, using a combination of cash and points.
“It’s been about finding the right credit cards that match our spends with rewards,” Mr Navarro said.
“Some Qatar hotels look a long way out of Doha, and more like Airbnb than a luxury hotel that you would find in the UAE.
Extra flights laid on for fans
From November 20, more than 160 daily shuttle flights will carry supporters into Doha from around the region for day trips to watch matches.
Huge demand for tickets has been recorded in Saudi Arabia, although some reported issues with applying for tickets through Fifa as opposed to the usual practice of buying direct from the stadium.
Saudia will operate a minimum of 30 return flights daily from Riyadh and Jeddah, with further extra flights laid on by flydubai, Kuwait Airways and Oman Air.
Qatar Tourism recently announced it would prioritise hotel rooms during the four-week tournament for match ticket holders.
In total, 130,000 rooms were promised to be made available by the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
Of those, 48,000 will be hotel rooms, 60,000 apartments and villas through Airbnb or similar providers and a further 4,000 or so rooms on two cruise ships docked in Doha’s Grand Terminal. There are also temporary fan villages on the outskirts of Qatar.
Residents can also host up to 10 visitors during the tournament, once hosts and guests are registered on Qatar’s Hayya digital platform.
Wael Jabir, a football writer from Saudi Arabia, will be covering the World Cup for Fifa and has been speaking to friends in Europe planning to travel to Qatar.
“Most of those I’ve spoken to who have already got tickets are planning to stay with friends in Qatar," he said.
“They are coming from Holland and Germany and have friends they can crash with, others are looking to stay in the UAE.
“Shuttle flights from the UAE to Doha will help more people stay in the UAE and travel into Qatar for the day to watch a game."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
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.
LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
More on Turkey's Syria offence
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CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
THE%20SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Newcastle United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Tottenham (Alli 61'), Davies (70')
Red card Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week