As Qatar gets ready to host the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East, we take a look at some of the exhilarating experiences on offer during the biggest sporting tournament in the world.

Excitement has reached fever pitch in Qatar. At least 1.2 million football fans are expected to descend on Doha to witness sporting history. It’s been 12 years in the making and is the first time the mega-tournament has been held in the region. It’s also the first time in its 92-year history it’s being held in the winter. With eight state-of-the-art stadiums poised for action, Qatar is hoping to deliver the first carbon neutral World Cup.

THE TOURNAMENT

A total of 32 teams will fight it out in 64 matches which take place between November 20 and December 18, with the first Group A game taking place after the opening ceremony between the host country and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. The final will be held at Lusail Stadium on Qatar National Day, December 18.

The event will be held in eight different stadiums across the country. The furthest distance between any two stadiums is around 70km meaning it’s one of the most densely packed tournaments ever:

• Khalifa International Stadium had a complete renovation that finished in 2017. It has a capacity of 40,000.
• Al Janoub Stadium opened in May 2019 in Al-Wakrah, a halfhour drive south of the capital. It has a capacity of 40,000.
• Education City Stadium is located in the heart of the country’s university campuses. It also has a 40,000 capacity.
• Al Bayt Stadium is in Al Khor, a town on the northeast coast of Qatar, with a capacity of 60,000.
• Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, also known as Al Rayyan Stadium, has capacity of 40,000.
• Al Thumama Stadium is the closest arena to Qatar’s main airport, Hamad International, with 40,000 capacity.
• Stadium 974, earlier known as Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is a fully deconstructable sports stadium built from 974 shipping containers, with a capacity of 40,000.
• Lusail Stadium is located north of the capital Doha, with a capacity of 80,000.

The teams have been drawn into eight groups for the first phase of the tournament. There are four teams in each group and the countries will play the others in their group once. Winners are awarded three points and losers get no points. At the end of the group stage, the two teams with most points in each in each group qualify for the knock-out rounds, beginning with the round of 16.

Chief Executive Officer, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Nasser Al Khater, said: “Qatar is ready to welcome the world and host a unique edition of the FIFA World Cup – the first to take place in the Middle East and Arab world. Fans can expect top-class international football and a vast array of entertainment options.”

FAN ZONES AND FESTIVALS

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Festival kicks off on November 19 and runs until December 18 at Al Bidda Park. It will be the heart of all activations in the country during the competition. The site can accommodate a capacity of 40,000 fans, free-ofcharge! It will showcase all 64 matches on mega screens. On rest days, there will also be live music from international and regional artists, plus family-friendly entertainment. The Fan Festival also has three zones: Live, Food and Play. Open from 10am to 2am (match days), and 3pm to 2am (non-match days).

Hayya Fan Zone is the second main fan zone and will be set up on the Lusail Marina Promenade. It will be open between November 20 and December 18 and will have capacity for up to 3,500 fans at a time. Visitors can watch all 64 matches on the big screens here. There will also be an ice rink with open ice-skating and ballet shows, live DJs, international bands and local acts, and unique food and beverage options. Free entry. Open from noon to 2am.

Over on Qetaifan Island North, football fans will be able to watch all the match action on the big screens and catch live concerts at the Qetai-Fan Beach Fest Powered by Unit-Y. Alongside resident artists and concerts from international acts including French Montana, CeeLo Green and Alex Sensation, there will be water activities, retail stores and more than 50 food and beverage outlets. Running from November 19 to December 18, the beachfront festival will also see artists like Ryan Castro, Oxlade and DJ-Twins take centre stage.
For tickets and more information visit :
https:// qetaifanbeachfest.com/

Located at Ras Bu Fontas, Arcadia Spectacular dance music festival boasts an A-list line-up from the global stage of techno and house music. Fans can also expect the iconic fire-breathing Spider, from Glastonbury, along with a whole host of internationally renowned artists and DJs during the event, which will be held on three stages, with an expected capacity of 15,000! You must be over 21 to attend. The monthlong electronic festival will be held between November 19 and December 19 from 10am-5am.
For more details visit: https://www.arcadiaspectacular.com/

Qatar Live 2022, is presenting a series of concerts with performances from Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5, Post Malone, J Balvin and Robbie Williams. World Stage is a collaboration between Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism, sponsored by Ooredoo, and organised by Alchemy Project under the Qatar Live 2022 series of events. The World Stage will kick off with the legendary Los Angeles trio Black Eyed Peas on November 20, with the last performance on 17 December at Doha Golf Club.

Daydream Qatar 2022 is one of the festivals that is part of Qatar Live 2022 and will be headlining the biggest DJ line up seen in the Middle East, with Alesso, Alok, Armin Van Buren, DVLM, John Newmam, Major Lazer, Tiesto and Timmy Trumpet, with many more global artists to be announced ahead of the tournament. This will also take place at Doha Golf Club from November 22 to December 18.

Darb Lusail Festival is located in the Lusail Boulevard. Here, three days of festivities will represent the Middle East, Southern Asia and North Africa with headline talents, drone light shows, and artistic performances. It’s taking place from November 3 to 5 and visitors will need a Hayya card for entry. Doors to the Boulevard will open at 5pm, with the drone shows scheduled for 7pm. Non-ticketed performances by artists Abdulaziz Louis and Joseph Attieh will take place on November 3 and Ahmed Saad will take the stage on November 5. The only ticketed event will be on November 4, when Lusail stadium will host some of South Asia’s biggest stars, including the legendary Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, singer Sunidhi Chauhan, composing duo Salim-Sulaiman and other acts such as Perfect Amalgamation.

ARAVIA has been conceived by Saudi music entertainment company, MDLBEAST. The event will take place over 28 nights in Al Wakrah. With capacity for 5,5000 dance music fans, it will showcase premiere international talents and rising regional stars during more than 160 hours of global shows and 56 spectacular acts, including international performers such as Hardwell, Afrojack, DaBaby and Steve Aoki. The lineup also includes rising Saudi artists Biirdperson, DJ duo Dish Dash and Cosmicat, as well as regional singers Hamaki and Amr Diab. Other notable stars performing include David Guetta on November 26, Tyga on December 2, Fatboy Slim on December 6 and Calvin Harris on December 7.
Get the full lineup and ticket details on
https://aravia. mdlbeast.com/en

There’s also the World Cup Festival 2022 at Doha Corniche where there’s going to be a global street festival along Doha’s iconic six-kilometre waterfront. It will be transformed into a carnival with stellar performances from November 14 to December 18 from 10am to 12am. There will be concerts, art, culture and storytelling from Sheraton Park to the Museum of Islamic Art. The event will have four live stages and more than 150 food outlets. There will also be a stunning display of light and water shows every day. The ‘Welcome to Qatar’ water and pyrotechnic shows will feature music from the Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, Qatari composer Wael Binali and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, you’ll be able to catch them every afternoon with a grand show at 9pm.

A CULTURAL FEAST

In the run up to the event, a plethora of new attractions, festivals, exhibitions and activities has been unveiled for fans and visitors.

The World of Football exhibition at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum will celebrate the historic occasion, with an exhibition split over two halves. Football for All, All for Football will examine the universal and global appeal of football, while The Road to Doha will take you on a journey from the first FIFA World Cup matches, in Uruguay in 1930, to the final at the Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022. The exhibition runs until April 1, 2023.

Qatar’s National Museum is displaying a multisensory exhibition by Pipilotti Rist symbolising humanity’s collective unconscious and the power of the mind. They also plan to host 17 exhibitions across five museums with further information still to come.

Katara Cultural Village has announced that it will organise 51 events, and 300 sub-events with the participation of 22 countries. These will include concerts featuring international bands from Argentina, the UK and Arab countries. Some of the events include art exhibitions and shows highlighting works from Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Iran. On Arab heritage, there will be exhibitions on ceramics, the Oud instrument, and Arabic calligraphy, as well as activities for children. Katara Publishing House will also publish 22 books in Arabic and English. The World Cup programme will be divided into five main categories: festivals, concerts, exhibitions, live shows, and events, and will run from November 18 to December 18.
The full details can be found on:
https://www.katara.net/

Mathaf, the museum of modern art in Doha, is hosting One Tiger or Another, exploring history as the product of fact and fiction.

Beach Clubs

Residents and fans visiting the peninsula can also spend time on a range of newly developed beaches.

The family friendly B12 Beach Club with Ayla Oasis Development offers a range of activities, exceptional dining options, premium services and live family entertainment.

Doha Sands is one of Qatar’s newest beaches where live music, dancing and dining come together for an unforgettable experience. Locals and tourists can enjoy Doha’s classic food kiosks for a range of culinary options.

Named after Doha’s prominent district, West Bay Beach is a public shoreline that is set to offer families a range of watersports activities and can accommodate up to 1,500 guests.

Sports fans can also enjoy the first-of-its-kind Fuwairit Kite Beach, built on Qatar’s northern coast, the resort offers thrill seekers spaces to relax and unwind after a day’s activities. Situated on pristine coastline next to a natural lagoon, the resort offers kite surfers an ideal setting to practise their sport.

There’s also the 974 Beach Club located next to the iconic 974 Stadium. This beach club will provide a five-star experience: think private bungalows, water-based activities, beach sports, luxury retail outlets, food and beverage kiosks, a big screen, live DJ sets, and other cultural activities.

Makani Beach Club at The Four Seasons Hotel Doha offers a lively seafront lounge with Southern Mediterranean elegance in a chilled setting overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Club-goers can expect light bites, ocean views and DJ entertainment.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

Whether you’re a first-time visitor, in town for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, a long-time resident expat or a local, there are plenty of must-sees to pass the time between matches, many of which have been put together purely for the footballing extravaganza. Here is our pick of the best attractions around.

Lusail Boulevard will be transformed into a vibrant and colourful destination at the heart of Lusail City with live music and concerts, street performances and parades. The 1.3-kilometre stretch of the boulevard will also feature daily light shows and more than 50 food outlets. Some activities in the site may require admission tickets. It has the capacity for 60,000 visitors.

Al Maha Island will host six high-end restaurants including Zuma, LPM, Billionaire and Carbone, as well as other eateries and attractions. The island also features Al Maha Drive, a unique driveway experience reserved only for supercars and classic cars.

Lusail Winter Wonderland is a remarkable theme park located on Al Maha Island, in the heart of Qatar’s entertainment district. This unique theme park will feature more than 50 exhilarating rides and attractions from November 1 until December 31. In contrast to the icy cold temperatures that greet visitors at the famous London Hyde Park location, visitors to Lusail Winter Wonderland will be able to relax on the beach in the sun while enjoying festive games, rides, live entertainment and delicious food and drinks.

The MSC World Europa will be docked at the Grand Terminal in the Doha Port throughout the duration of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, acting as a floating hotel. The ship, which will officially be named in Qatar, includes six stunning pools and 14 whirlpool baths with views of the ocean, a Balinese-style wellness centre and spa, a fully equipped gym and 13 dining venues.

Conceived as an entertainment hub, Qetaifan Island North will feature luxurious hotels, beach clubs, gardens, pedestrianfriendly streets, distinct neighbourhoods and a waterpark with 36 rides that will open in 2023.

Take a poll about which new art installation is creating the most community buzz in Qatar, and chances are Flag Plaza on the Corniche will emerge with flying colours. Adjacent to the Museum of Islamic Art, Flag Plaza is a visually spectacular celebration of diversity, with 119 national flags proudly waving about a dozen or so metres into the Doha sky. From Germany to Guinea Bissau, the Philippines to Pakistan, Kuwait to Kyrgyzstan, Somalia to Switzerland, the flags represent all of the nations with diplomatic missions accredited by the State of Qatar. Over and above the high-flying icons, or right below them, to be precise, you’ll find infographic poster boards displaying interesting facts about the represented countries.

Experience Al Jazeera at Doha Fire Station shows the enormous growth of the state-owned Al Jazeera Media Network over the past 25 years, going from a single TV channel to a global media phenomenon. Alongside exploring its founding values, creative processes and technologies used, there will also be a number of interactive exhibits, including a studio experience and an immersive section making use of virtual and augmented reality.

Other top spots to visit during your stay include the Museum of Islamic Art where you will be treated to a massive collection of Islamic art in various forms such as ceramics, books, and Arabic calligraphy.

Souq Waqif is also a must-see for any self-respecting tourist, here you will find souvenirs, handicrafts, spices and traditional garments. There is also an array of wonderful restaurants to choose from.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Al Zubarah, a former pearl fishing town that dates back to the 1700s is also worth seeing. You can visit the remains of this archaeological site, including the Al Zubarah Fort. Compared to the modern skylines of Doha, this famous attraction truly shows you a different side of the city.

And, last but not least, you have to also visit the Al Thakira Mangroves. Many have fallen in love with the lush greenery that surrounds a lake, and the views of the desert on the horizon. If you want a truly unique experience, you can go kayaking through the belt. You may even spot certain birds like flamingos and herons!