Three men were arrested in Qatar for reselling World Cup tickets without authorisation. Photo: Qatar Ministry of Interior
Three men were arrested in Qatar for reselling World Cup tickets without authorisation. Photo: Qatar Ministry of Interior
Three men were arrested in Qatar for reselling World Cup tickets without authorisation. Photo: Qatar Ministry of Interior
Three men were arrested in Qatar for reselling World Cup tickets without authorisation. Photo: Qatar Ministry of Interior

Three arrested for reselling World Cup 2022 tickets


Ali Al Shouk
  • English
  • Arabic

Three men have been arrested for reselling tickets to the World Cup, which kicks off when hosts Qatar take on Ecuador on Sunday.

Qatar's Ministry of Interior said the suspects had been “referred to concerned authorities” for further action.

The ministry published a blurred picture of the men in front of confiscated tickets, laptops and smartphones.

It said they were of “different nationalities”, without disclosing the countries they hail from.

Anyone who sells or exchanges tickets for the tournament without permission from world football's governing body Fifa faces a fine of up to 250,000 riyals ($66,000).

In July, Qatar's Justice Ministry said this penalty fell under Law No. 10 of 2021, which outlines Qatar's measures for hosting the World Cup in November.

Authorities did not reveal the quantity of tickets in question, or the price they were said to have been sold on for.

Fifa has stated that fans who are unable to attend matches are allowed to put them up for sale on its official resale platform.

“Tickets that have been impermissibly transferred are not valid and may be cancelled at any time without notice,” the governing body said.

Qatari authorities have urged fans to follow regulations in place during the World Cup to avoid falling foul of the law.

A ticket applicant is only permitted to assign tickets to guests either free of charge or for an amount no greater than the face value of the ticket, Fifa said on its website.

The ticket terms of use do not allow guests to transfer tickets under any circumstances.

  • Football is the focus for this smartphone photographer on the Corniche in Doha. AFP
    Football is the focus for this smartphone photographer on the Corniche in Doha. AFP
  • Argentina fans at the Corniche. AFP
    Argentina fans at the Corniche. AFP
  • A wave from Mexican fans. AFP
    A wave from Mexican fans. AFP
  • A Brazilian takes a breather at the Flags Square. AFP
    A Brazilian takes a breather at the Flags Square. AFP
  • France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is emblazoned across the side of a building. AFP
    France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is emblazoned across the side of a building. AFP
  • This fan only has eyes for Brazil. AFP
    This fan only has eyes for Brazil. AFP
  • Fun at the fort. Supporters in the Corniche area. Getty
    Fun at the fort. Supporters in the Corniche area. Getty
  • Fans fly the flag for Senegal. Getty
    Fans fly the flag for Senegal. Getty
  • Smiles and sombreros from Mexican fans at the Corniche. Getty
    Smiles and sombreros from Mexican fans at the Corniche. Getty
  • This way for the World Cup. Workers paint directions on the road in Doha. AFP
    This way for the World Cup. Workers paint directions on the road in Doha. AFP
  • World Cup banners hang over the street in Doha. AFP
    World Cup banners hang over the street in Doha. AFP
  • Tunisia supporters gather in front of their team's hotel in Doha. AFP
    Tunisia supporters gather in front of their team's hotel in Doha. AFP
  • Argentina fans dance with drums at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters
    Argentina fans dance with drums at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters
  • Moroccan football fans at the Corniche waterfront in Doha. Getty
    Moroccan football fans at the Corniche waterfront in Doha. Getty
  • Fans pose in front of the Qatar 2022 countdown clock in Doha. AFP
    Fans pose in front of the Qatar 2022 countdown clock in Doha. AFP
  • A Brazilian fan at Doha Corniche ahead of the Fifa World Cup. Getty
    A Brazilian fan at Doha Corniche ahead of the Fifa World Cup. Getty
  • A football fan wears a traditional Arab head dress with the flag of Ecuador in Souq Waqif, Doha. Reuters
    A football fan wears a traditional Arab head dress with the flag of Ecuador in Souq Waqif, Doha. Reuters
  • Arab fans with Tunisia and Algeria flags cheer at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters
    Arab fans with Tunisia and Algeria flags cheer at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters
  • Fans from Argentina cheer at Flag Plaza in Doha. AP
    Fans from Argentina cheer at Flag Plaza in Doha. AP
  • A fan of Ghana's national football team poses beside the Fifa World Cup countdown clock in Doha. AFP
    A fan of Ghana's national football team poses beside the Fifa World Cup countdown clock in Doha. AFP
  • A Qatar fan waves the national flag. AFP
    A Qatar fan waves the national flag. AFP

If a guest can no longer use a ticket, then it must be returned to the ticket applicant.

Tickets for the global event have been sold in phases with an online queuing system in place.

Fans are limited to buying a maximum of six tickets per match ― and a maximum of 60 for the tournament ― to deter ticket touts from buying up large amounts of to sell on at inflated fees.

A “last-minute sales” phase is in operation throughout the competition, Fifa states on its website.

About 2.9 million tickets for the event — which will stage 64 games in 28 days — had been sold as of last month.

The showpiece opening game will be held in the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium.

The match will kick off at 7pm and will be preceded by the traditional World Cup opening ceremony.

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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

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Updated: November 14, 2022, 12:10 PM