Qatar Cup passes transport test, but has ticket problems

With no transport congestion despite the 120,000 fans displaced for three games, in a perimeter of less than 30 kilometers, the organizers of the World Cup in Qatar successfully passed this Monday (21) in a first test.

However, the day was overshadowed by hundreds of spectators who were unable to access their ticket on the FIFA app and entered the stadium after the start of the match between England and Iran.

“They should delay the game, otherwise we won’t be able to watch it,” lamented Anas, 33, a Palestinian present to support Iran. “We are six friends and none of us can get in. We paid 800 Qatari rials (about R$1,065)!”

“We are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” a FIFA spokesman told AFP.

With a million spectators expected over four weeks in one city, the capital Doha, and just 75 kilometers between the two furthest stadiums, organizers had admitted a risk of “congestion”.

However, the routes between the city center and the Khalifa, Al-Thumama and Ahmed Ben Ali stadiums, where the three matches of the day took place, remained fluid.

Sometimes, there were even a few free seats left on the three subway lines inaugurated in 2019 and on the thousands of special buses placed at the service of the tournament.

Less than two minutes at immigration

Hamad International Airport — which increased its capacity from 40 to 58 million passengers a year 10 days ago with the opening of a new section — was full by midday, but customs and baggage delivery formalities were quick.

At the same time, the old Doha airport was reopened to receive daily flights from neighboring countries in the Gulf.

Thousands of Saudi fans were also expected at the Qatar land border on the eve of the highly anticipated match between Saudi Arabia and Argentina.

“Crossing the border took me less than two minutes, it’s easy,” said Nawaf Al Zorbian, 31, as he got off a bus that dropped off spectators in front of a metro station in the capital.

To cope with this flow of visitors, parking lots and a large tent were installed at the border, allowing the processing of more than 4,000 people per hour.