October 22 2022 — 16:00
Tour operators eye back-up routes as millions prepare to fly to Qatar World Cup
Air operators flying soccer fans to the Qatar World Cup should have back-up routes in case of disruptions from delays or regional tensions, with around three million tickets sold for next month’s global event, travel and risk consultants said.
Qatar Airways is working to boost its workforce by 10,000 to more than 55,000, partly to handle the expected influx, and has cut flights to make way for World Cup fans.
Ticket sales for the showpiece tournament, which runs from November 20 to December 18, are approaching the three million mark and Qatar’s civil aviation regulator estimates 3.5 million to 4.1 million passengers will arrive, depart and transit Qatar in November.
Higher demand could strain resources like ground transport and hotels, while key airspace used to access Qatar has been disrupted by conflicts in recent years, driving the need for alternate routes, they said this week at the world’s largest business jet show in Orlando.
A Qatari government official noted millions of people come through Qatar each year on various carriers without incident.”Air traffic management is expected to proceed as normal during the World Cup, which in recent years has avoided Yemeni airspace and other areas where safety cannot be guaranteed,” said the official, who did not wish to be named.
Matt Borie, chief intelligence officer of Osprey Flight Solutions, said operators should still consider Jordan or Oman as back up in case the airspace over Iran, Iraq or Saudi Arabia is temporarily inaccessible.
Osprey, which does aviation risk assessments for regulators and operators, has released notices on all three countries in recent years over varying airspace disruptions due to conflict.
“We told operators look, if you’re looking at a worst case scenario … do you want to be scrambling in trying to figure this out? Or do you simply want to say activate our Jordanian plan,” he said.
“We’ve had a number of clients that have asked for alternate routings,” said Henry Duke LeDuc, strategic development officer at global trip support firm UAS, during a show panel on the World Cup.In September, Iran used ballistic missiles and drone attacks against the Iraqi Kurdistan region.
A UN-brokered truce between a Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Houthi movement expired on October 2, but has largely held as negotiations continue for a longer and broader pact.
While airlines continued to operate safely in Saudi airspace – despite instances of Houthi groups firing missiles and operating drones before the ceasefire – they led to aircraft being put in holding patterns for extended periods of time, Borie said.
Saudi officials did not respond to a request for comment.
Other officials in the region pushed back against any concerns over tensions potentially disrupting World Cup travel.
One official at a major Gulf airline told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Saudi, Iraqi and Iranian airspace is used a lot with precautionary measures. This “is pretty much business as usual for us”, the official said.
Reuters
October 21 2022 — 19:55
Poland in ‘very tough’ World Cup group, says Lewandowski
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski said they have been handed a difficult group alongside Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia at the World Cup in Qatar but he believes they can progress.
The Polish side failed to get out of their group four years ago in Russia and Barcelona striker Lewandowski is keen to avoid a similar outcome.
“The pressure that comes with the expectations of our fans and the nation as a whole is massive and I’m well aware of it. I have to and want to feel motivated to show them what I can do on the football pitch,” Lewandowski told the FIFA website.”
Although that’s not always easy, I don’t want to complain about it. I must always find a solution and try to give my best.
“The 34-year-old said Argentina were one of the favourites to win the title and Mexico were always dangerous in major tournaments.”
With an absolute legend like Leo Messi as their figurehead, there’s no doubt that’ll be our toughest match. It’ll be great to take on such a great side with such talented players,” Lewandowski added.
“Mexico fights all the way to the final whistle and never gives up. They have a combination of youth and experience, and we’re well aware of that.”
Lewandowski, who netted nine times in qualifying, will be Poland’s main attacking threat but the former Bayern Munich frontman said there was more to his game than goals.
“Many people look at my stats and assume that if I scored then I played well, and if I didn’t then I played badly, but I’m well aware that that’s not always the case. It doesn’t worry me,” he added.
Poland kick off their campaign against Mexico on November 22 before facing Saudi Arabia four days later and Argentina on November.. 30.
Reuters
October 21 2022 — 17:57
Pioli says Milan must adapt to hectic schedule ahead of World Cup
AC Milan players will have get used to a hectic schedule as they have to turn out for seven games in 22 days before Serie A takes a break for the World Cup, manager Stefano Pioli said ahead of Saturday’s game against Monza.
Pioli’s side will have to cram in five league fixtures as well as two Champions League games before the World Cup begins in Qatar on Nov. 20.
“Many of the lads have played a lot but I have a group of strong players,” Pioli told reporters.”
My only wish is for the team to play at the level they know how to. The Monza match marks the beginning of a period that will see us play seven games in 22 days, and starting well would be important.
“Milan will host Monza, who have turned things around after Raffaele Palladino took charge of the club last month and are now in 14th place.”
Monza defend well and in an aggressive fashion, and they pass the ball just as well. They’ve only conceded once since the new coach came in and have quality up front too,” Pioli said.
Milan will be without keeper Mike Maignan who suffered a left calf muscle injury during training on Wednesday.
“We’re disappointed for Mike; he’s an important player and was doing everything possible to return. I think he’ll be out until at least January,” Pioli said.
Pioli said midfielder Charles de Ketelaere and defender Simon Kjaer would return after being sidelined due to injuries.
“We need to push and only focus on ourselves rather than our opponents. We’ve won three consecutive matches, and now we need to try to press on because we need a lot of points,” Pioli said.
“In Serie A, no team can be underestimated, and you can make your calendar an easier one through the standard you play at and the quality you show.”
Reuters
October 20 2022 — 21:40
Fans swerve Qatar World Cup that doesn’t make them dream
The Qatar World Cup was always going to be unique in several ways but one aspect FIFA would not have welcomed is that fans the world over are opting not to attend a tournament one supporter group said “doesn’t make fans dream”.
There are many factors involved, which individually might have been minor deterrents but, piled together, have made supporters who routinely follow their teams at huge expense decide to give this one a miss.
The shift from its usual summer holiday slot in June/July to the northern hemisphere winter, ending only a week before Christmas, because of high temperatures in the desert state has had a significant impact.
Strict entry requirements, sky-high high accommodation prices and concerns over Qatar’s human rights and LGBTQ+ record have also dampened enthusiasm for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournament.
Alcohol restrictions and the high cost of drinks, the fact that many of Doha’s hotels won’t be screening games due to licensing costs, and a lack of alternative entertainment in a city that has never really geared up for tourists have also convinced fans they will have more fun watching at home.
It is not just the world-weary “old hands” staying away either.
Wales are playing in their first World Cup since 1958 but Paul Corkrey of the Football Supporters’ Association Cymru said: “We took 50,000 to the 2016 Euros in France so the response has been muted mainly because of the location and time of year it is being played,”
“I would expect 3,000 fans to actually travel from Wales, though there will be expats as well from the region.”
Qatar, where foreigners make up the majority of the 2.9 million population, has come under severe scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers.
HUMAN RIGHTS
“Qatar just doesn’t have the best human rights efforts for things that I believe are important,” Matthew Moulden, secretary of the Fort Worth, Texas, chapter of US soccer supporters group American Outlaws told Reuters.
“I don’t know that I would want to support that,” added Moulden who is not travelling to the tournament.
Many fans were surprised by the choice of energy-rich Qatar as host, despite lacking football tradition and a climate that forced a fundamental change in the sport’s calendar with domestic leagues interrupted.
“There are people who won’t go because Qatar is not a football country,” said Anne Costes, vice-president of the Irresistibles Francais, the main French team supporters’ group.
“Doha doesn’t necessarily make you want to go. It doesn’t attract. It doesn’t make fans dream.”
For all the concerns, Qatar is still expecting an unprecedented 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, representing more than a third of the Gulf Arab state’s population of about 3 million.
But with limited accommodation options and entertainment choices, many foreign fans have opted to stay in nearby Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and fly in and out of Doha on match day.
That is the approach of Germany’s official fan group, who have reserved 300 places in a four-star hotel in Dubai.
They declined to say how many were travelling but even including all the “unattached fans”, numbers look certain to be dwarfed by the estimated 62,000 Germans who bought tickets for 2018 in Russia.
Package prices for attending all three group matches range from 2,609 euros to 3,849 euros and because of the high costs, some supporters are being subsidised by their countries.
“We have drawn up a list of 300, fully supported by the State of Senegal to support the national team,” said the country’s sports minister Yankhoba Diatara.
Other fans are concerned about the entertainment options.
“There isn’t a great deal to do in Doha,” Ashley Brown of the England’s Football Supporters’ Association told Reuters.
“It’s not like visiting a huge city like a Moscow or London. There isn’t a variety of theatres, restaurants, bars, cafes.”
“Overall, I think it will probably be not as good experience as fans are used to.”
Argentina fans might have concerns but for many they are trumped by the prospect of witnessing Lionel Messi’s final crack at winning the sport’s ultimate prize.
“I know a lot of people who have given up on attending mainly because of the accommodation costs,” Karina Medina, a member of the supporter group ‘Hinchas Argentinos’, told Reuters. “But a lot of people will go no matter what — because of Messi.”
Reuters
October 20 2022 — 18:00
Canada adds friendly against Bahrain to World Cup build up
Canada has added a friendly against Bahrain in Manama as part of their final preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, Soccer Canada said on Thursday.
The match on Nov. 11 adds to Canada’s pre-tournament schedule that also includes an away match against Japan on Nov. 17 in Dubai.
“Bahrain have graciously agreed to host us, which provides the team with an opportunity to both acclimate to the middle eastern conditions and to gain important minutes at an international intensity for a number of players prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar final roster selection,” Canada’s national team head coach John Herdman said in a statement.
Canada will gather in Manama to the run up to the World Cup which kicks off on Nov. 20 with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador.
Back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Canada will face Belgium in their opening match on Nov. 23.
Reuters
October 19 2022 — 22:00
From Paris to Doha: Two fans show love for France with long bicycle ride
Two ardent French soccer fans are cycling all the way from Paris to Doha to cheer for the defending champions at the World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off next month.
Mehdi Balamissa, a documentary filmmaker, and Gabriel Martin, a TV producer, departed from the Stade de France on Aug. 20 and have covered around 5,000km on their bicycles.
The duo came up with the idea when they were cycling to Italy for a Nations League game last year and now hope to complete their long journey ahead of France’s opening game against Australia on Nov. 22.
“With this trip we are able to promote sustainable mobility, another way of travelling and we can show people that with your legs it can give you so many adventures around your place or maybe further,” 26-year-old Balamissa told Reuters.
The cyclists, who are covering 120km a day, arrived in Jordan this week and will next cross Saudi Arabia before reaching Doha.
Martin said that tackling different terrains on the three-month long trip was a formidable task.
“The main challenge is to cover a huge distance. Sometimes it is flat but sometimes it is climbing a lot,” he told Reuters.
France, drawn in Group D, will also face Denmark and Tunisia.
“Gabriel and I, we would not be on our bicycles at the moment in Jordan if we did not think that France would win the World Cup,” added Balamissa.
Reuters
October 19 2022 — 21:06
Qatar 2022 | World Cup preliminary squads to be decided by Friday
World Cup coaches must submit a preliminary selection of players for the tournament by Friday as they begin the process of finalising their squads for the finals in Qatar.
Each of the 32 participating countries must send a list of a minimum of 35 players up to a maximum of 55 by the end of the day, in the first step in the selection process.
Coaches then have until November 14 to decide on their final list of 26 players by an 1800GMT deadline. FIFA will publish all the squads the next day.
October 18 2022 — 14:58
Qatar 2022 | Germany one of the favourites in Group E
As four-time Fifa World Cup champions, second behind Brazil (five), Germany will always go to any global football showpiece as one of the teams to beat.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, starting on November 21, is no different for the Germans. The Germans last hoisted the trophy in 2014, after beating Argentina 1-0 through Mario Götze’s goal in the second half of the final’s extra-time in front of the over 74,000 people at Brazil’s iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
October 17 2022 — 13:55
Qatar 2022 | Group C: Argentina could be hitting a high note at the right time
Group C at the 2022 Fifa World Cup contains the 2021 Ballon d’Or winner and runner-up, but in teams it has less overall quality than it does in individuals.
At 30, FIFA’s 2021 player of the year Lionel Messi will aim to steer group heavyweights Argentina to success in potentially his last World Cup, and perhaps even the trophy. Runner-up Robert Lewandowski’s Poland are set to battle for second place with Mexico, with Hervé Renard’s Saudi Arabia a spanner in the works.
October 14 2022 — 08:24
Qatar 2022 | Star player: Neymar out to fix Brazilian football
It has been two decades since Brazil won the coveted Fifa World Cup and captain Cafu lifted the iconic golden trophy in Yokohama, Japan after his side beat Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final, and Neymar .will be the player they look to to put that right in Qatar
October 12 2022 — 20:45
Qatar 2022 | Eto’o-inspired Cameroon should dare to dream, says Feutmba
Cameroon are in a tough group for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar and it will take something special for the Indomitable Lions to progress to the knockout stage. “Something special” can be a speciality of Cameroonian football.
October 12 2022 — 13.36
Qatar 2022 | Know your favourites: Enrique’s Spain on the comeback trail
Having underperformed at the two previous Fifa World Cups, Spain have been on an upward trajectory in their rebuilding process under coach Luis Enrique over the past two years and that makes them potential title contenders at Qatar 2022.
October 10 2022 — 13:31
Qatar 2022 | Group B: England have another golden generation and this one’s quite good
With its teams ranked between ninth and 20th in the world, the 2022 Fifa World Cup’s Group B is not a group of death, but is perhaps the tightest by far in Qatar.
October 07 2022 — 11:17
Qatar 2022 | Star player: Kevin De Bruyne can take Belgium all the way
Though football is a team sport, there are players who rise above their teammates to help carry a team to greater heights — players whose contribution is such that without them, teams are like a bird without a song. In a Belgian national squad teeming with so many talented individuals they are regarded as the country’s “golden generation”, that player is Kevin De Bruyne.
October 05 2022 — 21:32
Qatar 2022 | If Ziyech brings his dancing shoes Morocco can be the life of the party
African powerhouse Morocco will hope they do not regret recalling Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech from a self-imposed exile for the 2023 World Cup in Qatar.
October 05 2022 — 12:22
Qatar 2022 | Know the favourites: Can Messi finally steer Argentina to glory?
Could this be a fairy-tale final Fifa World Cup appearance for the talismanic Lionel Messi? It is almost 40 years since Argentina last won the World Cup, but La Albiceleste have another chance to rise to the pantheon of the game in what could be the perfect swansong for their creative mainstay Messi.
October 03 2022 — 13:31
Qatar 2022 | Group A: Tricky for Senegal to get past Qatar, Netherlands
Africa’s best hope, 2022 Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal, have a tricky group to progress past where hosts Qatar will be desperate to reach the second round and 2010 finalists Netherlands are the most pedigreed combination.
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