Israel announces an agreement allowing its citizens to travel to the Qatar World Cup
The Israeli government has announced that Israeli citizens will be allowed to travel to Qatar to attend the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches, even though the two countries do not have diplomatic relations.
"FIFA has confirmed that Israeli citizens will be able to enter Qatar during the World Cup and watch the matches, just like all fans from around the world," the Israeli defense, foreign and sports ministries said in a joint statement yesterday.
The statement added that Israeli citizens, like other foreigners, will be allowed to obtain a visa online with proof of ticket purchase.
"This is a diplomatic achievement that fills the hearts of fans with joy," Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter.
"The love of football and sport connects people and countries, and this World Cup opens the door to new warm relations," he added.
For his part, a Qatari official told AFP that "Qatar has always said that all nationalities will be able to attend the World Cup matches."
The Israeli national football team will not participate in the tournament.
The last time he qualified for the World Cup finals was in 1970 and finished third in his group.
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