Football lovers in the UAE are planning flying visits to Qatar in the weeks to come to cheer on their heroes at the World Cup.
The month-long sporting spectacle — being held in the Middle East for the first time — is off to a thrilling start with upset wins and a glut of goals in the first round of fixtures.
With Doha only a short flight away, many supporters in the UAE are planning whistle-stop tours to see the action up close.
FlyDubai and Qatar Airways will operate up to 120 daily shuttle flights in and out of DWC until December 19, carrying football fans to Doha for the game and back to Dubai.
Anjali Menon and her husband Rajiv Menon, from Dubai, are excited over their second taste of the tournament having attended Russia in 2018.
The couple from Kerala are flying to Qatar on December 7 to take in a trio of games during the knockout stages.
“The World Cup in Russia was an unforgettable experience for us,” said Ms Menon who works in sales and marketing for a finance company. "This time, we have bought tickets for three matches — two quarter-finals and one semi-final. All three are going to be nail-biting matches.
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Brazil's Richarlison scores with a bicycle kick in the match against Serbia at Lusail Stadium. EPA -
Richarlison celebrates with his teammates. Reuters -
The swollen ankle of Brazil forward Neymar, taken as he leaves the field at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Brazil and Serbia. AFP -
The group G match beteen Brazil and Servia at Lusail Stadium. Reuters -
Brazil fans are piling into Lusail Stadium in central Doha. PA -
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's first goal during Portugal's 3-2 over Ghana. He broke another record by becoming the only player to score in five World Cup tournaments. AFP -
Rafael Leao, left, scores his team's third goal past Lawrence Ati-Zigi, right. AFP -
Ghana captain Andre Ayew, centre, celebrates after scoring the equaliser at 1-1. AFP -
Portugal's Joao Felix celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters -
Fans cheer prior to the start of the Group H match between Portugal and Ghana at the Stadium 974. AP Photo -
Portugal's captain and talisman striker Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction to World Cups. He's scored in his previous four; now he's looking to break the record and make it five. AP -
Young fans are ready to roar on Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974. AP -
Ghana fans are in the stands for the Group H tie. Getty Images -
Son Heung-min couldn't help South Korea break the deadlock as their Group H opener against Uruguay ended 0-0. Getty Images -
Lee Jae-sung faces off against Uruguay's Rodrigo Bentancur. AFP -
Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa's lion tattoo. Getty Images -
South Korea fans are gathering for the Group H match against Uruguay at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha. AFP -
Cameroon's Nouhou Tolo couldn't help inspire his team to victory over Switerland, who ended up 1-0 winners. AFP -
Switzerland's Breel Embolo scores his side's opening goal against Cameroon, which proved to be the decisive winner. AP Photo -
Martin Hongla for Cameroon. AFP -
Good news for England fans as captain and talisman striker Harry Kane, right, trains. He suffered an ankle injury during their opening 6-2 victory on Monday. PA -
One Cameroon fan puts his faith in God while cheering on his team. AFP -
Switzerland supporters ahead of their Group G game against Cameroon. AFP -
An aerial view of Switzerland players warming up ahead of the game. AFP -
Switzerland supporters celebrate their country's dairy heritage by wearing cow costumes for the match against Cameroon. AFP -
Cameroon fans wait for the start of their match against Switzerland. AFP -
Switzerland's players warm up. AFP -
Cameroon defender Christopher Wooh traps the ball during the warm up for the Group G match against Switzerland. AFP
“I am a Lionel Messi fan and will be rooting for Argentina. Rajiv is a Ronaldo supporter and hence he is backing Portugal.”
The couple said they spent Dh1,200 ($326) each for the quarter-final tickets and Dh2,500 each for the semi.
“The return flight tickets cost us around Dh1500," said Ms Menon. "We are staying with friends in Doha and thus saved on hotel cost.”
Both of them will work remotely on non-match days and that helped them save on leave as well as choose cheaper flight dates.
Student set to cheer on Messi
Madhav Manoj, 21, a student at the Canadian University Dubai, is flying to Qatar to cheer for Lionel Messi, his all time-favourite player.
“My father works in Qatar and it is easy for me to fly in and stay with him. We are going to watch Argentina play against Mexico,” he said.
“I really want Argentina to win as this is Messi’s last World Cup. His is like magic on the field.”
Anfal Kavungal, a travel agent from Kerala, is a Brazil fan but had to settle for the match between Germany and Costa Rica on December 1.
“I did not get tickets for any Brazil match," he said. "Me and a group of friends bought tickets for Dh260 during a special offer available in August.
“It is touch and go for me. I will fly Qatar Airways on December 1 and will return early morning the next day after watching the match that starts at 11pm on Friday.”
His economy ticket cost Dh1,400.
“How can we miss this World Cup when it is happening so close by? I want to have the experience of watching a World Cup match from the stadium."
Rooting for Ronaldo
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Joao Felix after scoring the opening goal in the 3-2 win against Ghana at the Stadium 974 in Doha on November 24, 2022. AP -
Ronaldo and the Portugal team celebrate. Getty -
Ronaldo celebrates scoring from the penalty spot. EPA -
Cristiano Ronaldo's delight after scoring. Getty -
Ghana's midfielder Andre Ayew celebrates with teammates after levelling at 1-1. AFP -
Joao Felix celebrates scoring Portugal's second goal with teammates Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo is substituted. Getty -
Rafael Leao scores Portugal's third. Getty -
Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring. Getty -
Osman Bukari scores Ghana's second goal. Getty
Indian Vijayshankar Kavasseri said he is flying in to watch Portugal against South Korea next week, travelling with his wife and four children.
“We will be supporting Portugal as we are fans of Cristiano Ronaldo,” said the facilities manager.
The family are travelling from Dubai with flights costing him Dh10,000 for all four.
“We are going because the World Cup is the most prestigious sporting event in the sporting calendar,” he said.
Roaring on the Three Lions
Qasim Sharif, from England, is travelling on Friday along with his daughter to support his home nation against the US and then back again for the final group game against Wales.
“We are looking forward to it as it is a once-in-a-lifetime event and I can’t wait to share it with my daughter,” said Mr Sharif, who works as a financial controller for a hotel group.
“Though World Cups happen every four years, who knows where we will be the next time it happens?
“We’re excited to take this opportunity while we can.”
Daily shuttle flights for him and his daughter are costing him Dh3,500.
