- FCDO issues six top tips to help travelling fans enjoy the
tournament in Qatar
- One month to go to the start of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup
- England and Wales bosses Gareth Southgate and Rob Page
encourage supporters to check out Foreign, Commonwealth &
Development Office (FCDO) travel advice
With only one month to go until the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup
kicks off in Qatar, the FCDO has issued 6 top tips for travelling
England and Wales fans. Following these tips will help fans avoid
preventable problems and enjoy the tournament.
Any Brit planning to attend the World Cup is advised to:
-
Prepare before you go. Our checklist has all the
practical steps that fans need to think about before they
head off to the tournament, from passport validity to health
prescriptions.
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Read our travel advice and sign up for e-mail alerts. World
Cup-specific information can be found at gov.uk/qatar2022.
Our Qatar travel advice is kept under constant review so fans
should sign up for email alerts to stay up to date on the
latest developments throughout the tournament.
-
Follow the entry requirements for Qatar. To enter Qatar, fans
must have a Hayya Card (a form of fan ID), as well as proof
of a negative COVID-19 result through a valid PCR or rapid
antigen test certificate. Accommodation must be arranged
before travelling out.
-
Get travel insurance. Without it, fans risk medical bills
which may run to thousands of pounds. Fans should check that
insurance covers them for all destinations, medical needs,
COVID-19 costs and planned activities.
-
Know the do’s and don’ts. Qatari laws and customs are very
different to those in the UK. There may be serious penalties
for doing something that is not an offence in the UK. The
availability of alcohol, and associated laws, will be
different to previous tournaments.
-
Steer clear of drugs. Qatar takes a zero tolerance approach
and visitors can expect a severe penalty for the possession
of even residual amounts. Punishment can include lengthy
custodial sentences.
Foreign Secretary said:
The countdown to the World Cup is on, with only a month to go
until the action kicks off in Qatar.
We want all travelling Brits to enjoy their World Cup experience,
and they are more likely to do so if they prepare before they go.
Following our six top tips and signing up to Qatar travel advice
email alerts will help fans have the best possible time at the
tournament.
The FCDO is working closely with a range of partners, including
the Football Associations, fan representatives and UK Police, to
provide practical information and advice to travelling
supporters.
England Manager, Gareth Southgate said:
I know how much our fans look forward to watching England at
major tournaments.
With only one month to go, I would suggest anyone travelling to
the World Cup signs up for the UK Government’s travel alerts.
As well as keeping them across all the information they need,
they will get important tips too for getting the most out of
following England away. We look forward to seeing them all at the
finals.
Wales Manager, Rob Page said:
Everyone in Wales is looking forward to seeing Cymru in the World
Cup, our first appearance in the competition since 1958.
For those fans who are travelling to Qatar, we know how excited
they are to be watching Cymru play at the tournament but it’s
incredibly important that they keep up to date with the very
latest information and advice.
For the best possible experience, we advise our fans to sign-up
to the Qatar travel advice email alerts.
Ashley Brown, England Fan Embassy Team, part of the Football
Supporters Association said:
Travelling to World Cups always requires a level of planning for
supporters to make sure we get the most out of a tournament -
whether that’s match days, sightseeing or general safety.
Qatar has very different laws to the UK and we’d encourage all
fans to familiarise themselves with the FCDO’s six top tips
and to follow the FSA for further supporter-specific updates.
Paul Corkrey, Fan Embassy Wales said:
This is our first World cup in a generation and we know the Welsh
fans will be determined to enjoy the experience.
It is a trip to the unknown but information is available and we
urge the Red Wall to bookmark the FCDO travel advice website.
The UK will have a consular presence in Qatar and across the
region throughout the tournament. British nationals needing help
or advice will be able to contact the FCDO by phone 24/7 on +44
(0)20 7008 5000 or by calling the Embassy locally on +974 4496
2000. Fans in Qatar can access the Qatari emergency
services by dialling 999.
Fans planning to travel elsewhere in the region should check the
travel advice for each location they plan to visit or transit
through. Rules and requirements will vary from country to
country.
