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FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar

25 October 2022

The Fédération internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2022 is scheduled to take place in Qatar between 20 November to 18 December. Thirty-two international football teams will take part in the tournament in eight stadiums across Qatar.

  • Further event information including fixtures, ticket sales and stadium locations can be found on the official Qatar World Cup and FIFA websites.

The potential health risks for travellers attending the World Cup will vary depending on:

  • the amount of time they plan spending in Qatar
  • if they will be spending prolonged periods of time standing or sitting in one or more football crowds
  • any other planned leisure activities during travel
  • if they plan onward travel to another destination

This information can be obtained during the travel health consultation by undertaking a comprehensive risk assessment.

Before Travel

Check entry requirements and travel restrictions

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have produced guidance specific for UK travellers attending the Qatar World Cup which includes information about entry requirements, COVID-19 entry rules, local laws and customs, safety and security, and information about what the FCDO can do to support British nationals abroad.

From 01 November and for the duration of the tournament period, all travellers to Qatar will require to hold a Hayya card, which is a form of Fan ID and will allow access to stadiums and free public transport on match days.

Travel Insurance

All travellers should have appropriate travel insurance in place before travelling to Qatar.

  • Accessing healthcare services in Qatar can be expensive.
  • Purchased cover should include all planned adventure and/or sporting activities.

Vaccinations

See the TRAVAX Qatar country page for information on vaccine requirements and health advice for travellers to this destination. Remember to check all planned destination pages for the traveller as the advice may be different.

Travellers to Qatar should be up-to-date with UK schedule vaccines required for life in the UK, including:

Travelling with medicines

Some prescription medications, such as controlled medications, are restricted in Qatar. Travellers should be advised to check with the Embassy of Qatar if they are worried any of their medications may be restricted.

Travellers carrying medications into Qatar should be advised to:

  • carry all medications in the original packaging
  • carry a copy of their prescription and an official letter signed and stamped by their doctor stating the type of medication and why it’s required
  • avoid carrying more than 30-days’ supply without prior approval from the Embassy of Qatar

See the Travelling with Medication page for further information.

During Travel

Personal Safety

Travellers should be advised to review the FCDO safety and security advice for Qatar and be familiar with local laws and customs.

  • There are strict laws around use of alcohol or drugs, offensive behaviour, privacy, intimacy in public and importation of goods (including e-cigarettes/vapes, pork products).
  • Penalties can be severe if caught by the law enforcement authorities.

During the tournament, stadiums, surrounding areas and public transport and are likely to be crowded. Travellers should be advised to take note of emergency exits in stadiums and consider pre-arranging a meeting place if they become separated from their friends/group.

Although sex outside marriage is prohibited in Qatar, host authorities have confirmed there will be no restrictions during the World Cup on non-married friends of different genders or couples (including LGBTQ+) staying in the same room / accommodation.

See the personal safety page and LGBT travellers page for further information.

Staying Healthy

To avoid common travel-related illnesses in Qatar, travellers may wish to consider the following advice:

  • Practising safe food and water precautions to avoid related illnesses such as travellers’ diarrhoea.
  • Knowing how to avoid mosquito bites and other insect bites as these can cause skin irritation and spread infections.
  • Maintaining good respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene to reduce their risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections which can spread easily in large crowds.
  • Avoiding direct contact with people who appear unwell, and avoid using other people’s personal gadgets.
  • Staying well hydrated and practising sun safety – temperatures in Qatar begin to fall around November but can still reach 30'c during the day.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a viral respiratory infection thought to spread to humans from infected camels.The overall risk of MERS-CoV for travellers to Qatar is very low, however travellers can reduce their risk of becoming infected by:

  • Avoiding close contact with camels, and other live farm or wild animals.
  • Avoiding consumption of undercooked camel meat, raw camel milk/urine or camel products (thoroughly cooked camel meat and pasteurized camel milk are safe).
  • Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

After travel

Advise travellers that if, within 14 days of returning home from Qatar, they become unwell with symptoms including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath to seek medical advice as soon as possible from their GP or NHS24 on 111 (out of hours) and mention their recent travel history.

Further Information