UK Government Gives Tips for Travelers to Qatar During the World Cup

If you are traveling to attend the World Cup you should sign up for email alerts to the Qatar Travel Advice page on the UK government website, so that you stay up to date on the latest developments. You should also monitor the official Qatar World Cup and FIFA websites for more details.

For further detail about what the FCDO can do to support British nationals abroad, see this guide.

Before you go

Entry requirements

Apply early to avoid delays. You will need to hold a Hayya Card to enter Qatar from 1 November 2022 onwards, even if you are not intending to attend a World Cup match. Match ticket holders can apply through the Hayya Portal and bring 3 additional people without tickets with them into Qatar.

You will need a Hayya Card if you plan to enter Qatar from 1 November to 23 December. You will be able to use your Hayya Card for multiple entries to Qatar during this period and once entered, you will be allowed to remain in the country until 23 January 2023.

See the Hayya Portal website and Ministry of Interior websites for the latest information.

Now, all visitors traveling to Qatar aged 6 and above, regardless of vaccination status, must bring a PCR test certificate with a negative result valid for 48 hours or a Rapid Antigen test certificate valid for 24 hours ahead of the scheduled departure time of the flight to Qatar.

If you are arriving in Qatar before 1 November, or after 23 December, see the regular entry requirements for Qatar.

Health

Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance, and follow the latest COVID-19 requirements before you travel to Qatar.

Frequently check Qatari Ministry of Public Health advice for the latest updates ahead of the World Cup and stay in contact with your travel provider.

Accommodation

Booking accommodation for the period of the World Cup will be different from previous tournaments, regardless of whether you are planning to attend a match. Qatar’s World Cup Accommodation Agency website will be the main booking platform. However, there are other alternative options.

If you plan to stay in Qatar for more than 24 hours, you will need to have your accommodation booking validated during your application for the Hayya Card. You will need an approved Hayya Card to enter the country.

If you plan to stay with friends or family in Qatar during the tournament, then your host will need to register your accommodation within the Hayya portal website.