Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin 9:02 p.m., October 24, 2022
With less than a month before the start of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the authorities of the host country are emphasizing the reception of supporters and the occupancy rate in the stadiums.
Taking care of the country's image is one of their priorities.
Airplane, hotel, tickets... Qatar is ready for everything by inviting supporters all expenses paid.
Happy elected officials or ambassadors for Qatar?
No less than 1,000 supporters from all qualified countries will be invited free of charge for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar (November 20 to December 18).
A handful of French supporters will benefit from this offer.
They will join the 3,000 French people who have planned to travel for the occasion.
An invitation difficult to refuse since the fans will be able to benefit from an "all inclusive" trip, that is to say plane ticket, accommodation or even tickets for football matches.
A marketing strategy for Qatar which intends to use this competition as a showcase on the international scene.
READ ALSO
- World Cup in Qatar: more than 160 flights a day for supporters from neighboring countries
Guests via social networks
The majority of these supporters were contacted directly on social networks.
Among the criteria required by Qatar, in particular to be influential on certain platforms such as Instagram or Twitter.
These "Fans Leaders" will also have the mission of bringing together the other supporters of their respective nations.
The objective is to create a "group effect" and emulsion between supporters to guarantee an atmosphere in the stadiums.
With these invitations, Qatar hopes that supporters will share photos reflecting a "festive atmosphere" and an impression of "fervor" in the stadiums.
READ ALSO
- 2022 World Cup in Qatar: what Parisians think of the absence of giant screens
An image deficit?
But it is legitimate to wonder about the purpose of these offers.
It would seem that Qatar is using this World Cup to restore its image on the international scene and therefore use it for "soft power" purposes.
The geopolitical stakes are such that Qatar wants at all costs to succeed in its World Cup and take care of its communication.
A total of 2.7 million tickets have been sold but Qatar is seeking reassurance and control of its image.
Instructions specify how to attend the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador (November 20) or participate in cultural outings would be under the conditions of these offers.