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As Qatar relentlessly prepares to host thousands of football fans at this year’s World Cup, Qatari authorities have revealed the procedures for an entry permit to the Gulf country.
Hayya Card, a special fan ID card, is fans’ gateway to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Qatari authorities have said.
Moroccan fans seeking to travel to Qatar to support the Atlas Lions at the most prestigious football competition have to register for the Hayya Card, which will act as their visa to enter the Gulf country. As well as being required to enter stadiums and fans zones, the card provides a series of other privileges, including free public transportation in the games’ hosting cities.
“At the request of the Qatari authorities, ticket holders are reminded that all local and international fans must apply for a Hayya Card. Hayya Card is your entry permit to the State of Qatar and your stadium access (along with the match ticket),” FIFA said on Tuesday.
Read also: World Cup 2022 Draw: Morocco in Group F With Belgium, Croatia, Canada
To obtain the Hayya Card, Moroccan fans need to book both their match tickets and accommodations before landing in the Gulf country.
Berthold Trenkel, the Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, said on Sunday in an interview with The Sun: “A decision has been taken that only fans with match tickets will be allowed visas. They will need official fan IDs to get into Qatar and those who do not have them will not be allowed to travel.”
With a total of 3 million tickets available, more than 800,000 tickets have been sold in the first tickets sales phase between January 19 and February 8. The new sales window started on Tuesday and will be running until April 28.
For accommodation, Qatar provides wide options ranging from hotels and apartments to floating hotels in the form of cruise ships.
The Gulf country is also expected to open over 100 new hotels by the World Cup due date.
Following the Atlas Lions’ World Cup qualification, Moroccan fans are planning their trips to Qatar to be an extra push for the national team in its tense games against tough opponents.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions have been placed in a tough group (Group F) alongside Belgium, Croatia, and Canada. But given its recent history of playing world-class football against top-tier opponents, the Moroccan squad appears determined to make it out the group stage in Qatar.
