Saudi fan's 'road to Qatar World Cup' is a 1,600km desert trek — in pictures

Abdullah Alsulmi is crossing the country on a 1,600-kilometre walk from Jeddah to Doha in time to watch Saudi Arabia play Argentina on November 22

Saudi trekker Abdullah Alsulmi crosses a desert area near al-Khasrah area, some 350Km west of Riyadh, on Septembre 27, 2022, during his solo trek to the Qatari capital ahead of the FIFA World Cup. - The idea hit Alsulmi earlier this year, while he was watching a television show in which a senior Qatari official promised an "exceptional" experience at the upcoming World Cup. His excitement building, the 33-year-old Saudi recalls thinking: "I will go to Doha no matter what, even if I have to walk!" (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)