Every fan attending the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will need to be fully vaccinated to take their seat in the tournament’s stadiums, Qatar authorities have confirmed.
That means those flying in from around the world – and the rest of the GCC – to catch the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at full tilt will need to have had both doses of the jab prior to the big kick-off in November next year.
In an interview released via Qatar News Agency, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani confirmed that spectators will not be allowed to enter arenas without being fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
He added that the rules are intended “to protect the public health of citizens and residents”.
While most countries will have vaccinated their citizens before the footballing action gets underway, Qatar is also aiming to provide one million vaccines to immunise some of those flying in to watch the World Cup.
Currently, Qatar is only distributing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines among its residents, but recognises Astrazeneca, Covishield, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and Sinopharm for quarantine exemptions.
HE Prime Minister also provided an update on the last three stadiums to be finished – Lusail, Al Thumama and Ras Abu Aboud – noting that Lusail is now 90 percent complete.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior affirmed HH the Amir's keenness to hold Shura Council elections, according to constitution & fair and transparent procedures to strengthen Shura traditions. #QNAhttps://t.co/ZZaijNzUmnhttps://t.co/ArCAXfqL62https://t.co/JOn1agJgO7 pic.twitter.com/LLbot08szC
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) June 20, 2021
Approximately 72 percent of the eligible population in Qatar will have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of this week.
The 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup is set to be held between Monday November 21 and Sunday December 18, 2022.
It will be held across eight stadiums, five of which – Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, and Khalifa International – have been completed.
