The eight stadiums (seven new, one renovated) are ready.

All over Doha, on the other hand, an army of migrant workers is working on countless construction sites.

Fifa says it is "convinced that the supporters will find optimal conditions", but they do not share this opinion.

"Since 1998, it has been the most complicated World Cup logistically," laments Ronan Evain, director general of the Football Supporters Europe association, to AFP.

"The hassle is to get the information from the organizing committee. There is a lot of vagueness", abounds Fabien Bonnel, spokesperson for the group of supporters of the Irresistibles Français (IF).

Many will boycott the tournament, for logistical and budgetary reasons, in reaction to the situation of migrant workers or not to take place in an air-conditioned stadium, they say.

In 2018, "in Russia, 600 members (of the IFs) had followed at least one match. For Qatar, we only received a hundred requests", notes Fabien Bonnel.

The cost of tickets (on average 30% more expensive than in Russia), transport and accommodation top the list of concerns.

The FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar Vincent LEFAI AFP

“They see the prices rising”

200 days before kick-off, it takes around 1,500 euros for a round trip from Europe, but many will not know until May 31 if they have obtained match tickets.

While supporters usually find their accommodation themselves, the majority of accommodation is gathered on an official platform, reserved for ticket holders.

"For the moment, (the supporters) see prices climbing without knowing where they will stop", worries Ronan Evain.

"The accommodation portal (...) is constantly updated and stocks will be kept for fans who have not yet obtained their tickets," the Supreme Organizing Committee of the World Cup replied to AFP.

A total of 130,000 rooms will be available, or 3.64 million nights, in hotels, apartments, villas, cruise ships and camps, from 77 euros per person for a double room.

"Before the previous World Cups, we talked a lot about the delay in infrastructure. There, everything is ready", which leaves room for other questions, remarks Danyel Reiche, in charge of a research project on the World Cup at the Georgetown University in Qatar.

For the researcher, who anticipates "a great World Cup" thanks to the quality of the infrastructure, one question must be quickly clarified "so as not to undermine the overall success of the tournament": that of alcohol.

It is possible to consume it in certain hotel bars and non-Muslim expatriates are authorized to buy it in dedicated stores.

"Culture shock"

During the World Cup, it is a question of authorizing the sale in certain reception areas and in the fan zones, at a reduced price (around 6 euros per beer rather than 12 in hotels).

But it has not been made official.

"All the complexity for Qatar lies in succeeding in fitting into a mold greatly influenced by Western festive imaginations," said Raphaël Le Magoariec, researcher specializing in the Gulf countries and sport at the University of Tours.

"It's a clash of cultures, in my opinion there is the wish to protect ourselves from this subject of tension as long as possible."

How drunk fans, kissing in the street or openly gay, which is normally prohibited, will be treated is also unknown.

This worries the embassies of the 29 nations out of 32 qualified, unable to advise their supporters or organize their staff.

Police and security forces are prepared to deal with potential problems related to drunkenness in public "in a reasonable and sensitive manner", promises the Organizing Committee, which "simply asks fans to respect the conservative culture of the country ".

Regarding the LGBT community, he repeats taking his responsibility "seriously" to organize a tournament during which "everyone feels safe".

Fifa adds that personnel, starting with the security forces, are trained in respect for human rights.

The international federation also says "to ensure that symbols supporting LGBT causes can be displayed inside and outside stadiums".

There remains the question of Qatar's experience in managing an event of this magnitude: the tens of thousands of people crowding the Doha Corniche for the first edition of the Eid festival on Tuesday took the organizers by surprise, causing scenes of disorganization, especially at the entrance to metro stations.

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© 2022 AFP