The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the calendar and brings in visitors from around the globe to its host cities . International visitors spent an estimated 40 billion Russian rubles ( over $ 642 million ) at the 2018 World Cup , while 1.6 million foreign visitors traveled to Brazil for the 2012 competition .
As Qatar prepares to become the first Middle Eastern country to hold the World Cup ( Nov . 21-Dec . 18 , 2022 ) soccer fans are making travel plans to Doha and neighboring cities to cheer on their national teams . Qatar is also one of the smallest host countries and it promises to be the most compact World Cup to date . Sixty-five matches will be split between the eight host stadiums , which include the futuristic Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor , and Stadium 974 , which was made from shipping containers .
WHAT TO DO
Qatar ’ s capital , Doha , is home to more people than the rest of the country combined , and there are plenty of attractions to entertain visitors in between matches . Sports fanatics should visit the 3-2-1-Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum , which celebrates the origins and significance of sports culture in Qatar . The National Museum of Qatar offers essential
Off Road in the Qatari Desert
Credit : 3ey Photography
A SOCCER FANS ’ GUIDE TO QATAR FOR THE 2022 WORLD CUP
BY DEBBIE EMERY
Doha
Qatar Museum of Islamic Art
Credit : Qatar Museums insight into the country ’ s fascinating history , in an equally fascinating building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel to resemble a desert rose . At the center of the museum is Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani ’ s palace , with the new architectural structure blossoming out around it .
For those wanting an authentic Middle Eastern experience , the Souq Waqif marketplace sells traditional clothes , jewelry , handicrafts , and souvenirs . It also houses restaurants , Shisha lounges and the Al Rayyan Theatre . Like Las Vegas , Qatar is famous for importing its culture and taking inspiration from other countries — so don ’ t be surprised if some buildings look familiar , such as the Mondrian ( inspired by the trendy West Hollywood hotel ), or the Qanat Quartier modeled on the canals of Venice , Italy .
To get a view of the whole city , rent a Dhow boat to cruise down the Arabian Gulf while soaking in panoramic views of the Doha skyline . The traditional wooden boats stop at destinations along the way , or to allow passengers to swim and fish . Dune bashing is another quintessential desert pastime , as you traverse the tallest sand dunes in an SUV . It can often be combined with a camel safari , so you can explore the desert landscape at a more leisurely pace .
GETTING THERE
Qatar Airways offers nonstop service from Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to Doha ’ s Hamad International Airport ( DOH ).
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 34 AUTUMN 2022