In a few days the soccer World Cup will start in Qatar. There are many rules in the Arab country that Europeans need to get used to. Read here what fans absolutely have to be aware of.
On November 20, the soccer World Cup will start in Qatar. Until December 18th, 32 teams will fight for the title. Before the sporting competition was held, many did not have the country on their radar as a travel destination. But if you don’t want to miss the games and want to travel to Qatar, you should know a few important things about the country and the people.
That is why Qatar is under criticism
Qatar has been criticized primarily because of the poor human rights situation. Homosexual acts are strictly forbidden in the country. Up to seven years in prison can be threatened. It is an Islamic country, people with a different religious belief are sometimes persecuted and discriminated against. In addition, women are disadvantaged and men have to ask permission for many things. They are usually not free to decide who they want to marry or what job they want to do.
What is also criticized: guest workers were brought into the country to build the football stadiums and the infrastructure in general. Amnesty International has sharply criticized the working conditions. The guest workers are said to have been forced to work “to the point of complete exhaustion” and salaries were sometimes not paid, writes the human rights organization. It is not known exactly how many workers were injured or died on the construction sites. The British “Guardian” already spoke in a 2021 report of 6,500 deaths since the World Cup was awarded.
What does this mean for travelers – especially for homosexuals?
The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, has declared that all people are welcome at the World Cup – including homosexuals. But the human rights organization Human Rights Watch has now warned against traveling to the country as a homosexual person or member of the LGBTQ community.
There is a high risk that showing same-sex love “will be punished,” Wenzel Michalski, director of Human Rights Watch Germany, told Sky. It doesn’t matter what assurances Qatar made. “Qatar isn’t governed by the rule of law. You can’t sue for anything.” The measures are tough. The official World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman described homosexuality as “mental damage” (originally: “damage in the mind”) in an interview as part of the ZDF documentary “Geheimsache Qatar”. The “Heute-Journal” has already shown the scene. If you still want to travel to the country as a homosexual, you should be very careful.
entry requirements
Anyone over the age of 18 who enters the country must load the “Ehteraz” corona tracking app onto their smartphone. All visa procedures were lifted in the period from November 1st to December 22nd. Instead, one can only enter the country if one has a ticket for a World Cup match, hotel accommodation and the Hayya card, a fan ID. A passport is also required.
You don’t need proof of vaccination or a negative corona test to come to the country during the World Cup. The Federal Foreign Office (AA) recommends taking out additional health insurance. No mask has to be worn in public transport in Qatar, only the mouth and nose should be covered in health facilities.
local transport
Public transport in Qatar is limited. There are three metro lines in the capital, Doha. One of them connects the airport with the city center. According to the AA, the bus routes are not very reliable. It is therefore best to take a taxi or hire a car. But be careful: risky and fast driving behavior is the order of the day here. Anyone who causes an accident should never leave the scene of the accident – this is also forbidden here.
Important rules of conduct
Especially as a woman you should pay attention to your choice of clothes. In general, covered knees are recommended, so leave the shorts at home. Transparent and off-the-shoulder tops are also not welcomed in Qatar. When bathing on the beach, also study the dress code beforehand, as a rule, bikinis are not a problem at the hotel pool. However, skinny dipping or lying topless in the sun is usually prohibited.
Even the exchange of tenderness, i.e. a hug or a kiss, is not welcomed. According to Islamic ideas, such things do not belong in the public domain. Especially not if you’re not married. Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is even a criminal offence. It can also happen that as a woman you are refused a handshake – especially by men. Because it’s not common for men to publicly touch women who aren’t part of their family.
Alcohol only in certain places
When it comes to alcohol, fans also have to stick to a few things. Because the serving is only limited to bars, restaurants and certain hotels. Importation of alcohol, intoxication or consumption in public are prohibited. You must also be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol. You should also plan some money for it, because a beer can cost up to 15 euros.
But there are also exceptions to the World Cup – alcohol should be served before and after the games on the stadium grounds. In the stadium itself, fans will probably have to adjust to the non-alcoholic alternative. But there is said to be a fan zone in Doha where beer is offered in the evenings. Anyone who has had a drink too deep can go to specially designed areas to sober up.
