Qatar shuts its borders to non-World Cup ticket holders from November 1

Only citizens, residents and workers allowed entry as final tournament preparations begin

Fans cheer during a ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on August 13 to mark 100 days to go until the start of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. All photos by EPA

Football fans are starting the countdown to the first World Cup in the Middle East.

Excited fans take selfies in front of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup countdown clock.

Fans arrive at the ceremony to begin the 100-day countdown.

Qatari football fans jump for joy.

Fans take pictures at the countdown clock.

Entry to Qatar will be restricted from November 1 to only citizens, residents and holders of the World Cup Hayya card, the tournament’s organising committee announced.

The suspension of visits by people not attending Fifa World Cup matches will continue until December 23, five days after the showpiece final in Doha.

Restrictions apply to all air, land and sea borders into Qatar.

Football fans in possession of a match ticket for the World Cup must also apply for a Hayya fan ID entry permit ― a pre-approved digital visa linked to a passport that offers free public transport around the country.

The Hayya card allows entry into Qatar until January 23, 2023.

Those exempt from the restrictions commencing from November include Qatari citizens, residents and GCC citizens holding a Qatari ID card, holders of work entry permits, personal visas and approved humanitarian cases.

According to Fifa, the governing body for world football, 2.45 million of the three million tickets have already been sold.

Of the 520,532 tickets sold in the July 5 to August 16 sales window, the biggest number of allocated tickets were for group-stage matches.

They included Cameroon versus Brazil, Brazil v Serbia, Portugal v Uruguay, Costa Rica v Germany and Australia v Denmark.

Top countries for ticket demand

Most ticket demand came from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Mexico, the UAE, England, Argentina, Brazil, Wales and Australia.

The final round of ticket applications for the remaining games will open at the end of September, although a date has not yet been announced.

The cheapest group stage tickets are priced from Dh249 ($67.80) to Dh804, with final tickets costing a minimum of Dh2,218, rising to Dh5,898 ($1,606).

A last-minute sales phase will run until the end of the tournament, with tickets allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and confirmed immediately after payment.

Over-the-counter sales will also start in Doha following the launch of the last-minute sales phase.

For more information, visit FIFA.com/tickets, to book accommodation and apply for a Hayya card, visit Qatar2022.qa.

Accommodation options during World Cup - in pictures

A rendering of the fan village in Al Khor, which is about 40km to the north of central Doha and costs about $420 per night. Photo: Qatar Accommodation Agency

A rendering of the fan camp in Zafaran, which is just outside Lusail, home to the largest of the eight stadia. Prices are cheaper at about $200 per night. Photo: Qatar Accommodation Agency

Royal Residence in Doha, Qatar, is among hotels advertised on Booking.com

A lounge inside the Royal Residence in Doha

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A harbour view from the Royal Residence in Doha

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