Football fans across the world will soon be descending to Qatar for a month-long period of non-stop football as the World Cup kicks off on November 20th.
Some exceptions to regular rules have been made for the sake of the World Cup, but it is important to note that Qatari law gives no leniency to tourists or those ignorant of the law, so fans travelling should take extra care.
It is there highly unlikely that we will see similar to scenes to the Euro 2020 final at Wembley last summer, with the FA criticised for their handling of fans in the lead up to the final between England and Italy last July.
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As the first tournament of this scale to be staged in the Middle East, social norms and religious practices are likely to be different from those experienced at some previous tournaments.
Ahead of the tournament, here is all the information you need if you're flying out to Qatar.
Fan festivals
When the opening match kicks-off in Doha, Al Bidda Park, at the heart of the city near the Corniche, will become a meeting place for supporters throughout the tournament.
Matches will also be screened at other fan sites, at Qetaifan Island North, where a beach festival is planned with concerts, activities, food and drink outlets, on Al Maha Island in Lusail, and at the Al Maha Arena, which will host live concerts.
Those who have booked accommodation at the official fan villages on the outskirts of Doha can visit the Fan Village Cabins Free Zone, where games will be shown live.
Free travel is being provided on the Doha Metro system, with access granted with the Hayya card that accompanies a World Cup match ticket.
All eight stadiums hosting 64 matches are within an hour's drive of central Doha.
Hayya card
Visitors must apply for a Hayya card, the fan ID that offers free public transport around Doha and acts as an entry visa into the country.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy opened a special service centre for Hayya card holders to support fans at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
Fans can collect a physical copy of their digital Hayya card, in case they want to use transport services or fan zones and do not have a mobile phone.
The centre will be open from 10am to 10pm every day except Fridays, when opening hours are 2pm until 10pm until December 23.
Alcohol
Alcohol is served in licensed restaurants and in many hotels across the country, and it will also be made available in fan zones at certain times, organisers said.
Alcohol sales in fan zones may be less expensive than in hotels and will probably involve exchanging local currency for tokens that can be used to purchase beverages.
Bringing alcohol into the country is forbidden.
Only residents are allowed to purchase alcohol from specialist outlets for home consumption, so drinking away from official venues will be off-limits for fans.
Covid-19
A vaccine is not mandatory to visit Qatar, but anyone attending the World Cup aged six or above is required to present a negative coronavirus test on arrival at the airport before departure.
A PCR test result must be no more 48 hours old before departure or if taking an official negative Rapid Antigen Test, the result must be received no more than 24 hours before departure time.
Self-tests will not be accepted.
Fans should ensure their travel insurance covers any enforced stays in a hotel, a requirement if you test positive while in Qatar.
World Cup visitors to Qatar who hold Hayya cards are excluded from the pre-entry online registration requirement on the Qatari government’s Ehteraz website for residents and GCC citizens.
As with in the UAE, masks are only required on public transport and on healthcare premises.
Clothing
Respecting local norms could be one of the greatest challenges for the huge numbers visiting Qatar during the World Cup.
Swimwear is allowed on hotel beaches and swimming pools, but visitors will be expected to cover shoulders and knees when visiting public places such as museums and government buildings.
The removal of shirts is prohibited inside stadiums, while the much publicised air-conditioned stadiums are designed to maintain a pleasant temperature for spectators.
Outside, the average temperature for November is around 26 degrees, but it could get as warm as the mid-30s.
Behaviour and intimacy
Previous World Cups and other football tournaments have been criticised for failing to handle poor fan behaviour, with Qatar keen to avoid this by enforcing their strict policies on obscenity.
Swearing and lewd gestures are covered under this section of Qatari law, with deportation or imprisonment likely punishments for these crimes.
Any form of public intimacy, such as kissing, whether heterosexual or homosexual, can lead to arrest in Qatar. The state is also known for strict laws against homosexuality and on members of the LGBT+ community.
Anybody found guilty of “leading, instigating or seducing a male by in any way to commit sodomy” can legally face the death penalty, but more likely is a jail sentence or deportation.
Fans are advised to avoid shaking hands with Qatari women; a gesture that can be interpreted as disrespectful.
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