Latest: We drove from UAE to Doha for the World Cup - here's how we did it
UAE residents are hoping to fulfil their footballing dreams after Qatar eased entry rules for the remainder of the World Cup.
Doha is braced for a new wave of visiting supporters after dropping the requirement for Gulf citizens and residents to obtain a Hayya card — which has acted as an entry visa for the event — to travel to the country.
Authorities had already moved to allow fans without tickets to soak up the carnival atmosphere in Qatar in time for the start of the knockout stages.
The decision is expected to prompt a travel boom — with the quarter-finals getting under way on Friday.
Iraqi engineer in Dubai
With countries with large followings, such as England, Brazil, Argentina and France, still in the thick of the action, many fans will likely want to sample a taste of the World Cup in person.
Supporters with tickets are still required to use the Hayya system, as this prevents fraudulent entry to stadiums.
Munaf Al Taee, a 44-year-old Iraqi engineer based in Dubai, had given up hope of attending the global spectacle until hearing of the latest announcement.
“Previously, I had given up on the idea of travelling to watch the tournament after hearing about Hayya card requirements," said Mr Al Taee, whose love of Diego Maradona inspired him to follow Argentina.
"Now I’m seriously thinking to travel to Qatar for the knockout stages to enjoy the atmosphere.”
He has already begin his search for match tickets, safe in the knowledge he will be able to enter Qatar freely.
“Although I know the tickets will be expensive now, it would be a dream for me to watch the matches live," he said. "I will decide later whether to travel by car or fly.
“The last eight qualified teams are the top ones. I support Argentina because of Maradona. I can’t wait to get a match ticket for Argentina against [the] Netherlands on Friday and support them. Thanks, Qatar.”
Morocco win inspires journey
Mounir Shaltony, a 39-year-old Arab-Canadian, is planning a Doha trip after Morocco's remarkable penalty shootout success over Spain.
He told The National prior to Tuesday's dramatic match he would travel if the Atlas Lions came out on top.
“I’m excited about the prospects of attending the World cup as I was trying to avoid flights and the logistics behind them," he said.
Awad Najaro, a Sudanese resident in Dubai, is eager to sample the drama in Doha.
“I've never been to the World Cup before and now I’m super-excited to go and fulfil a dream. I was not sure to be able to go because of the long waiting period and busy live schedule,” said the 32 year old.
“I have never been to Doha before and now I can go for a special occasion.”
Flight and hotel prices
Fans hoping to be part of the festival of football need to act fast with the showpiece final taking place on December 18.
Return flights on Saturday, when England take on reigning champions France, started from Dh1,670 ($454) for a flydubai flight, according to Skyscanner as of Tuesday.
The cheapest direct flights from Abu Dhabi on the same day cost Dh2,935 with Etihad and Qatar Airways.
Flights from Sharjah on the same day are available from Dh2,814 with Air Arabia.
The official fan accommodation website for the World Cup shows apartments available from about Dh1,428 for the same night.
Accommodation at the fan villages starts at slightly under Dh730 while three-star hotel rooms are available from Dh830.
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Senegal supporters cheer during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match against the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium near Doha. AFP -
This Iranian fan can't watch as England hammered his country's team 6-2. Bloomberg -
Iran supporters make a point before the match with England at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. EPA -
England fans en route to the game against Iran. EPA -
England fans ... or is it Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford? Getty Images -
Party time for Qatar supporters before the opening World Cup match against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. The high spirits fizzled out as Qatar lost 2-0. AFP -
These Ecuador fans are dreaming big. AFP -
USA supporters wave the stars and stripes before playing Wales, at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Umm Al Afaei, a match that was drawn 1-1. AP -
Wales fans show their support during the match against the USA at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Getty Images -
Even this Diego Maradona mask could have been left red-faced after Argentina succumbed 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in a shock result in Lusail. AFP -
Argentina's supporters cheer before the start of the Group C football match against Saudi Arabia. AFP -
Saudi Arabia fans celebrate their team's victory over Argentina. AFP -
Many Saudi Arabia fans couldn't believe their historic win over Argentina. AFP -
Masked Mexican supporters arrive for the World Cup match against Poland at Stadium 974. AFP -
A France supporter holds a mock rooster in the run-up to the match against Australia at Al Janoub Stadium. AFP -
People dance at an official US football fan party at the Budweiser World Club in Doha. AP -
A fan waves the Brazilian national flag in Doha, during the opening day of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. AFP -
Fans watch the opening match on Doha Corniche. Getty Images -
Eyes fixed on the screen at Doha Corniche. Getty Images -
A young football fan on the Doha Corniche. Getty Images -
An Argentina fan in triumphant pose before the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador. Getty Images -
Fans watch at Doha Corniche. Getty Images -
Football fans meet La'eeb, the Qatar World Cup mascot, at the Lusail Boulevard fan area. La'eeb is an Arabic word for a hotshot footballer. Getty Images -
Football fans in Argentina colours at the Lusail Boulevard fan area. Getty -
Qatar fans make the Souq Waqif marketplace in Doha their own before the 2022 World Cup kicks off. AFP -
Crowd control by Qatari police officers at the Fifa fan zone in Doha. AP -
Celebration party time at the Fifa World Cup 2022 Qatar fan festival in Al Bidda Park, Doha. Getty -
Fans at the opening of the Fifa fan festival. Reuters -
A young Brazil fan at the Souq Waqif marketplace in Doha. AFP -
Saudi Arabia fans arrive in Qatar for the Fifa World Cup. Reuters -
Good to be here: a Mexico fan arrives in Qatar. Reuters -
Fan wears an image of Argentina's Lionel Messi close to his heart. Reuters -
A low-key Mexico fan brings a replica World Cup to Qatar. Reuters -
Brazil fans gather outside the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa in Doha to welcome their team to Qatar. AFP -
Many people attend the Fifa fan festival opening day at Al Bidda Park in Doha. AFP -
Many people attend the Fifa fan festival opening day at Al Bidda Park in Doha. AFP -
A young fan at Souq Waqif ahead of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Reuters
The website advises that availability is limited.
Tickets are being sold in phases on a first-come, first-served basis with an online queuing system in place for those hoping to buy on the official Qatar World Cup website.
The website states that current ticket demand is "very high" and long waits in the queuing system are expected.
Tickets are being sold on the secondary market for England's match against France for as much as Dh16,477.
Qatari authorities have warned 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).
Driving from Dubai or Abu Dhabi
GCC citizens and residents hoping to drive to Qatar will be allowed to enter without a Hayya card from Thursday.
To do this, you need to apply for a vehicle entry permit through the Qatar Ministry of Interior website 12 hours before crossing the border.
There are no fees to pay, officials said.
Fans still have an option of crossing land borders and leaving their car in a designated car park on the Saudi Arabia side, before taking buses to Doha. We have a full guide on that here.
To register for a permit, visit here.
