FIFA World Cup 2022: Nearly three million tickets were sold for the World Cup, with major implications for Qatar
This is the first time that a Middle Eastern country is hosting an international-level soccer tournament. According to the sources, the no. of tickets sold for the tournament is about to touch the three million mark
Gianni Infantino, FIFA's President, told the press that they had sold nearly three million ticketsGianni Infantino, FIFA's President, told the press that they had sold nearly three million tickets. Meanwhile, World Cup Chief Operating Officer Colin Smith said that the three countries to have bought the majority of the tickets are Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America.
Because Qatar is a small country, it may not be able to accommodate all the viewers, so some will be staying in neighbouring countries like the United Arab Emirates and flying to Doha for the matches.
In the same press conference, Infantino also told the press that about 240,000 hospitality packages have already been sold for the 2022's FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on November 20.
The host will also arrange extra accommodation for 30,000 for ticket sales last minute. Most of the hotels in Qatar shall be occupied by the players and their staff and the remaining by the fans.
"Qatar is ready to host a global celebration of the beautiful game. We look forward to welcoming fans and players from across the world as they sample our welcoming hospitality, a vast array of entertainment options and top-class international football. It promises to be a special edition of the FIFA World Cup – and one that will leave a lasting, positive impact on Qatar, the Middle East and the Arab world," said Nasser Al Khater, CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, during a press conference.
In addition to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America bought the most tickets; tickets are also in high demand in countries like England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, Brazil, and Germany.
The authorities also announced that the accommodation in Qatar for the fans starts at $80 per night, including hotels, fan villages, and apartments.
Qatar is expecting to benefit hugely in the tourism sector from this tournament. With over one million people visiting for the World Cup, Doha is expected to majorly flourish in terms of tourists in the coming few years.
There's no doubt that the country's infrastructure has improved manifolds ahead of the World Cup, and the same is bound to attract tourists in the following years and many more sports tournaments.