Getting information a nightmare
Migrant labourers are working through the night near the World Cup clock that started counting down 200 days from May 5, with hosts Qatar facing mounting questions over costs and conditions for fans. Eight shiny, air-conditioned stadiums are ready for the tournament's start on November 21, but every night the army of South Asian workers who underpin Qatar's energy-rich economy swarm over unfinished roads and building sites around Doha.
Dozens of gigantic cranes tower over the capital's skyscrapers while organisers juggle with the dilemma of welcoming an estimated 1.4 million fans wanting entertainment in the tiny, conservative Islamic state.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised the 'best ever' World Cup and a FIFA spokesperson told AFP that the global body had been quite impressed by Qatar's infrastructure programme.
Many fans, however, worry about the cost of travel and accommodation for the Qatar World Cup, the first of its kind in an Arab country. Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe, a lobbying group, said transport and beds were fans' main concerns.
"This is the most complicated World Cup of the modern era for logistics," he told AFP. "Fans see prices rising and don't know when it will stop."
As prices soar post-COVID-19, Madrid-Doha return air tickets in November have already reached more than US$1,680, almost three times the cost in 2021.
Many fans still do not know if they have match tickets - which are a third more expensive on average than for 2018 - and they cannot book accommodation on the official website without a seat number.
Qatar says there will be 130,000 rooms in hotels, apartments, cruise ships and desert camps. It has promised shared rooms for US$85 a night.
Ambassadors from many of the 32 competing nations have told AFP of their concerns over the lack of information about issues ranging from alcohol consumption to the treatment of the LGBT community in Qatar, in view of perceived restrictions.
"There is no problem with the concrete and steel," said one ambassador, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But they are not telling us enough about how it will all be policed. There are no details."
"Getting information from the organising committee is a nightmare," said Fabien Bonnel, a spokesperson for Irresistibles Francais, the biggest French supporters association. He predicted fewer French fans than before.
Before other World Cups the talk was often about stadiums not being ready but 2022 is different, said Danyel Reiche, author of
'Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Politics, Controversy, Change'.
"There are many indicators that this will be an excellent World Cup," said Reiche. "The challenge here is to meet the needs of Western fans (since alcohol consumption is permitted in the West during matches) whilst respecting the local culture. Pragmatic compromises need to be found to respect both sides."
FIFA and the Qatar organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, have sought to reassure fans about accommodation, rights and drinking. Beverages are likely to be sold at fan zones and special areas near stadiums, as during the 2019 Club World Cup and last year's Formula One race, organising sources said.
"Many countries have restrictions on the public consumption of alcohol. Qatar is no different and simply asks fans to respect the country’s conservative culture," said a Supreme Committee spokesperson.
FIFA had insisted that law enforcement around the World Cup be 'non-discriminatory, and strictly necessary and proportionate' including allowing LGBTQ symbols and colours at stadiums, he said, adding that FIFA is confident all measures will be in place for them.