FIFA World Cup will be taking place in Qatar starting on 20th Nov 2022. The mega event is all set to host more than a million fans from across the world during the 29 days.
List of Stadiums
Eight stadiums are situated around Doha, the only major city in Qatar, the smallest state to host soccer’s biggest event. A total of 32 teams have been chosen to compete in the FIFA World Cup.
Fans may unwind and enjoy seeing their favorite team perform at the World Cup. However, this has the unavoidable drawback of increasing traffic and contributing to unsafe driving.
Qatar World Cup Transportation
Sports events and traffic congestion are directly related. Pennsylvania experienced a 148.78% spike in fatal collisions on the day of the 2011 Super Bowl (XLV), as the Steelers lost to the Packers.
When so many people congregate in one place, the number of cars will skyrocket, and travel times will significantly slow down. The sheer volume of vehicles also means a very high risk of accidents amid traffic jams.
The first two weeks of the tournament, when the greatest number of foreign supporters will be rooting for the 32 competing countries, are the ones that worry the authorities the most.
It anticipates that the event will draw over 1.2 million tourists, or about half of the populace of the conservative nation, creating a logistical and law enforcement problem.
Qatar World Cup 2022 Tickets
You can purchase Qatar World Cup 2022 tickets from here.
What is Being Done to Decrease Traffic Congestion
To decrease traffic congestion before and during the World Cup, the government of Qatar stated on Wednesday that it would decrease the number of employees who visit offices and reduce school hours.
The government is concerned about keeping traffic off the streets near the eight stadiums since it expects over a million people throughout the event from November 20 to December 18.
Office hours Reduced
Most government workers in Qatar have been instructed to work from home during the next soccer World Cup. Two weeks prior to the event, schools will have shortened hours before closing as the nation gets ready for a significant inflow of tourists in a bid to ease congestion.
For this reason, the government announced the news late on Wednesday that between November 1 and December 19, 80% of its workers would work from home to reduce the traffic.
Between November 1 and November 17, public and private schools will only hold abbreviated lessons until midday before closing for the duration of the World Cup and at least until December 22.
Reports claimed that school hours will be reduced and attendance offices would be slashed.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Schedule
The Gulf Arab nation has constructed a new transportation system in preparation for the competition, including expressways and a metro system that opened in 2019. Still, it has never accommodated the volume of tourists anticipated for the World Cup.
Group A
Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, and Netherlands
Group B
England, IR Iran, USA, and Wales
Group C
Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D
France, Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia
Group E
Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan
Group F
Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia
Group G
Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon
Group H
Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and Korea Republic
Qatar Policy on FIFA World Cup 2022
The decisions on the measures were made “taking into mind the public interest and in keeping with the state’s readiness for hosting this event,” according to Mohammed Al Hajri, spokesperson for Qatar’s Government Communications Office while explaining the congestion on streets around the eight stadiums.
He made the announcement after the cabinet meeting.
Abdulaziz Al-Mawlawi, Executive Director of Transport Operations at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “We worked on developing all solutions to be ready to facilitate transportation throughout the hosting period of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
The metro, buses, and taxis are fully prepared, he said. The working hours of the Doha Metro will start daily from 6 am to 3 am during the hosting period.
Also, private parking will be provided next to metro stations, and free transportation with the Hayya card will be allowed from November 10 until December 23.
For his part, First Lieutenant Engineer Khaled Al-Mulla from the Ministry of Interior said that Corniche Street will be designated for pedestrians from November 1 to December 19, and a plan has been prepared to facilitate transportation during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Ahmed al-Obaidly, Mowasalat (Karwa) chief operating officer indicated that more than 2,300 buses will be operated daily during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and there are 6 types of buses that fans can use, including environmentally friendly buses.
Mohammed Ali Al Marri, Head of the Doha City Design Team at ِshghal added that 207 bridges, 100 intersections, and 143 tunnels were built to support mobility during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Song
The official soundtrack for the World Cup 2022 currently comprises four songs. They are as follows:
- The World Is Yours to Take – Lil Baby, Tears for Fears
- Hayya Hayya (Better Together) – Trinidad Cardona, Davido, Aisha
- Light The Sky – Nora Fatehi, Rahma Riad, Manal, RedOn
Flights to Qatar World Cup
Arrivals at Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport
The authorities said that fans and spectators will have a number of transport options including shuttle buses along with ride-hail services including Uber and Careem while Doha Metro and taxis are also available for the coming tourists.
Qatar World Cup Dates
Direct buses will be functional to stadiums from five different locations around Doha and prime accommodation locations.
Corniche Street to be Pedestrianised from Nov 1
Corniche Street will be pedestrianized from Nov 1.
Karwa Bus Routes and Timings
There will be free shuttle bus services between Souq Waqif metro station and Al Bidda Park that will connect spectators from various locations to the B and C-Ring Roads.
All the timetable and schedule is available on the Mowasalat website.
Pertinent to note that local authorities will issue fine tickets for violators that access the central Doha area without meeting the exemption criteria.
How to Avoid World Cup Jam
Qatar World Cup authorities warned spectators and fans should be ready for traffic congestion in the first 12 days of the tournament.
In the first two weeks, a number of supporters will be packing the Gulf state’s capital Qatar with 2.9 million people ready to host one of the biggest events in the World.
As over one million fans are expected to visit amid 29 days of football mega event as there will be four group matches a day during the first 12 days.
The Qatar authorities expect over 300 000 fans could be roaming around the streets of Doha amid peak days.
Read More:
Bread for all: UAE launches free bread via smart machines in Dubai
Free Bread For All: UAE Businessman gifts Dubai initiative 10 smart machines
Dubai celebrates 92nd Saudi National Day with fireworks, concerts and more
UAE Police arrest 391 Afghan fans for violence; impose fines for damaging Sharjah Stadium