At the start of the World Cup, 40,000 Argentines traveled to watch the tournament. With the success of the selection, more fans were encouraged to cross the ocean at the last minute, and the number of supporters in Qatar increases every day.
Aerolíneas Argentinas has been putting new planes on the route, and prices increase the closer to the date of the games. The most recent cost around US$3,400 (about R$18,000), with a stopover in Rome.
The special flight that was opened only to take Argentine fans after the last match, against the Netherlands, left on Sunday (11), with all the seats sold in less than 24 hours. The last scheduled flight, which is the one that will take you to the final, if Argentina passes, leaves on the 16th and can cost up to US$ 3,800 (R$ 20,200).
One of the difficulties of traveling in such a hurry is that there are some procedures to enter the country, such as obtaining the Hayya card, which needs a few days in advance to leave.
Game tickets are another headache. In recent weeks, it was possible to see Argentines checking ticket-buying sites a thousand times to try to get one. Those being offered for resale, at this moment, cost between US$ 1,000 (R$ 5,300) and US$ 1,500 (R$ 7,900).
According to FIFA’s table, the price of common tickets for the semifinals ranges from R$ 1,900 to R$ 5,000.
In a country where it is forbidden to buy dollars in paper money beyond the limit of US$ 200 (R$ 1,064) and which, in the parallel market, the cost is double, Argentines who venture to go to Qatar, even more so of the hour, accept to spend small fortunes. This is also due to the creation of the Qatar dollar by the Argentine government, which taxes credit card expenses abroad.
Lorenzo Ferrarine, 23, and cousin Carlo received “a Christmas present worth three”, the former told Sheet🇧🇷 “We pledged not to receive any gifts from family members for three years,” they laugh. The parents of both joined together to pay for the expenses of the two tickets, plus accommodation and food. “We managed to stay there easily, because we have friends from the club who are there in a rented apartment. It’s going to be tight, but it’s only for a few nights”.
“After the first game, in which Argentina lost, I had no idea that I would run for a ticket at this point,” says Carlo. “But the selection grew, we started talking to our parents. We both work too, so we can pay for a few things. Afterwards, all this will be worth it, just seeing Argentina champion”, he concludes.
They boarded a crowded plane that took off last Sunday. “In the beginning, the flights had a capacity of 65%. Now, they are full. For now, we only have one planned for the final, but depending on the demand, it is possible that we put another one on the market”, says Damian Marsicano, from Aerolíneas Argentinians.
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