Qatar World Cup travel and visa options: how to plan your trip from the UAE

The Qatar World Cup kicks off in November and promises to be hugely popular with UAE sports enthusiasts, as official agents have reported record ticket sales — with huge demand for quarter-final matches.

Host Qatar and Ecuador provide the curtain opener at the Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, and it's not too late for UAE residents to plan a trip to the region’s biggest sporting event.

Flying is likely to remain the most convenient — albeit costly — option for football fans, particularly as rules on driving to Qatar have changed.

Anyone visiting by car must now park at Qatar's Abu Samra land border crossing with Saudi Arabia on the Salwa Road, and then take a free shuttle bus into Doha, 90 kilometres away.

Flights into Doha on December 9, when the first quarter finals are due to be played, and returning on December 10, are currently available with Flydubai for under Dh1,000 ($272).

To fly back a day later on December 11, fans will have to pay around Dh500 more, flying with Qatar Airways.

Match hospitality tickets are also available from FIFA’s official agents in the UAE, Expat Sport.

Stadium capacity figures according to Fifa website.

“The UAE has had its highest recorded ticket sales for any World Cup to date,” said Alan Holt, managing director of Expat Sport.

“Our most popular package for UAE residents so far has been the quarter finals.

“It's over a long weekend, so people only need to take the Friday off work to see the top teams in the world.

“For UAE-based football fans this is the ultimate weekend experience of what will, no doubt, be incredible football and the opportunity to soak up the exciting atmosphere in both the stadiums and Doha.”

Expat Sport has six levels of match hospitality packages, starting from