Allow "Haya" holders to invite three non-holders of Qatar World Cup tickets
The organizers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup in football revealed, on Thursday, a new feature that gives holders of the “Haya” fan card, the opportunity to invite three people without tickets to attend the finals and expand the work area of the official platform for accommodation, stressing that drinking alcohol around the stadiums will not be different from previous versions.
Yasser El-Gamal, Director-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in a press conference from Lusail Stadium, the largest stadium in the World Cup and host of the final, which officially opens Friday with the match between Zamalek, the champion of Egypt and Al-Hilal, the champion of Saudi Arabia, "Due to the request of ticket holders wishing to accompany their friends or family to the World Cup, we decided to adopt One plus three policy.
"Therefore, after purchasing the tickets, the Haya card holder can invite three of his friends or family who are not ticket holders, to enjoy an exceptional experience in the World Cup," provided that a minimum entry fee applies for non-ticketing fans aged 12 and over, while Fans under 12 years of age are exempt from entry fees.
The organizers previously announced that the "Haya" card is the only permit for fans to enter Qatar, during the World Cup scheduled between November 20 and December 18, when more than one million visitors are expected.
It contains many advantages, the most important of which is access to the eight stadiums, and the provision of free public transport, including buses, metro and tram.
Commenting on reports last week about the possibility of drinking beer in the vicinity of stadiums between the time the doors open until half an hour before the start whistle, and then about an hour after the final whistle, Nasser Al-Khater, CEO of the World Cup, said: “We have always said that alcohol sales are available here in Qatar. We also said that we will make it available in designated places."
To the areas surrounding the stadiums, alcoholic beverages will be available in the fan areas starting at half past six in the evening, “because these areas will be attractive to families,” according to Al-Khater, and some areas designated by the organizers.
Al-Khater continued, "I think there is a misunderstanding regarding the sale of alcohol in stadiums. We work like any other World Cup where this is normal."
The issue of drinking alcoholic beverages during the 2022 World Cup sparked controversy in this conservative Islamic country after it won the honor of organizing in December 2010, especially since the consumption of alcohol in public places is prohibited, and visitors are not allowed to bring it into the country, but they can obtain it only in some Hotel bars and restaurants.
Non-Muslim expatriates can purchase them at a specialty store that requires a special permit.
Accommodation through new applications and websites
In return, fans will be able to apply for a Haya pass after completing their accommodation reservation through a website or app other than the accommodation agency, or staying with family or friends.
Al-Jammal commented on this matter, “The platform for accommodations has seen a great demand. Based on that, we decided, starting next week, to adopt a new feature on the Haya platform, so that anyone can book from any global platform designated for housing, whether local or international, and register his reservation on the Haya card in an image. Quick to facilitate the procedures on the Haya card, bearing in mind that the official residency platform has competitive prices, starting at $80.
In turn, Al-Khater indicated that "2.5 million tickets were sold in the first and second stages out of 3 million, and at the end of September the last stage of sales will open at the last opportunity for fans wishing to watch the World Cup."
Al-Khater pointed to the organizers' relief, 73 days before the start of the World Cup, "there are some cosmetic aspects in the streets and finishing touches."
The organizers refused to reveal the numbers of many security and policemen coming from other countries to help the host country, after signing cooperation agreements with France, Italy, Pakistan, Turkey and Britain, preferring to leave them to another occasion and talking about procedures according to the laws in force to hold security violators and violators accountable.
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