After four long years, the wait is finally over … it’s time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup! Whether you are cheering in the stands with thousands of passionate fans or at your local pub with a pint in your hand, the experience is exhilarating. Every four years, football (soccer) fans around the world get to cheer on their favorite team or country during this worldwide tournament. Many fans dream of the opportunity to plan a trip and watch their team compete in a championship of this magnitude.

What You Need to Know

The FIFA World Cup was founded in 1930 and is played every four years over the duration of one month. This year will be the 22^nd edition of the competition, taking place for the first time in a Middle Eastern country: Qatar. There are 32 qualifying teams that are split up in 8 groups. Games start November 20^th and will end with the championship on December 18^th. A total of 64 games will be played to decide the winners.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup groups and qualified teams:

• Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, and Netherlands
• Group B: England, IR Iran, USA, and Wales
• Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland
• Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia
• Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan
• Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia
• Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon
• Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and Korea Republic

Turning a Sporting Event into a Vacation

If you decide to attend some games this fall, you'll likely find the planning tasks similar to that of a vacation. Whether you are in Qatar for the whole tournament or just part of it, there will be plenty of downtime for you to explore the country. There are many beautiful sights to see in Qatar, along with museums, parks, and lots of shopping. Check out some of our recommended can’t miss spots while you are in town for the games:

Msheireb Museums – The History of Doha

• The Msheireb Museums are four phenomenal museums that show the exquisite fishing history of Doha. Doha originally started as a small fishing village and then erupted into a large fishing port. This is a perfect place to visit if you enjoy learning the history of the country straight from its roots.

Inland Sea – Khor Al Adaid

• This natural reserve is one of the rare places in the world where sand dunes meet the sea during high tide. Along with the beauty of the Inland Sea, there are also rare species of turtles and dugongs, which are similar to manatees.

Pearl Qatar – Shopping in Doha

• Experience the purest form of luxury on this man-made island, home to some of the finest cafes and shopping malls. These malls are filled with upscale fashion, jewelry, and lifestyle boutiques. To finish off your long day at Pearl Qatar, settle in for the night at one of the many high-end hotels in the area.

Bedouin Camp – A Night in the Desert

• Imagine spending a whole night in the desert without any city lights, being able to see every star in the sky. Stay in a tent or sleep in a cave at the Wadi Rum Bedouin Campsite, enjoy traditional cuisine and music around a campfire, and wake up to the sunrise over the sandstone mountains.

Angry Birds World Theme Park – Time for Family Fun

• Whether you’re traveling with children or without, everyone will have a fun time at the Angry Birds Park, bringing a video game to life. Since 2017, this 4-in-1 amusement park has wowed guests with adventure rides and activities that leave you feeling like you were in the game itself. With rides, attractions, arcade games, entertainment, and more, Angry Birds Park is a must-visit for all ages.

How to Prepare for Your Trip

Local Laws and Customs

Qatar is primarily an Islamic country, so it's important to familiarize yourself with Islamic culture and respect local traditions, customs, and laws. Learn more about what to expect here.

COVID-19 and Entry Requirements

In order to enter Qatar, all travelers ages 6 and above, regardless of vaccination status, are required to provide a negative PCR test certificate that is valid for 48 hours or rapid antigen test certificate that is valid for 24 hours, from the scheduled departure flight time.

All travelers entering Qatar during the FIFA World Cup must apply for a digital Hayya Card. A Hayya Card will be required for entry to Qatar, the stadiums (with a valid ticket), and public transportation during the tournament.

Travel Insurance

When traveling internationally, it is always a smart choice to purchase travel insurance or travel medical insurance to prepare for the unexpected. This will help protect your trip investment and your health in the slight chance something goes wrong, such as a flight delay or your child getting sick. Visit the following link to our most popular travel protection plan, iTravelInsured Travel SE, or our most popular travel medical insurance plan Patriot Travel Medical Insurance.