PRESS RELEASE : England and Wales fans urged to follow World Cup travel tips – Qatar 2022 [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2022.

• FCDO issues six top tips to help travelling fans enjoy the tournament in Qatar
• One month to go to the start of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup
• England and Wales bosses Gareth Southgate and Rob Page encourage supporters to check out Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice

With only one month to go until the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off in Qatar, the FCDO has issued 6 top tips for travelling England and Wales fans. Following these tips will help fans avoid preventable problems and enjoy the tournament.

Any Brit planning to attend the World Cup is advised to:

• Prepare before you go. Our checklist has all the practical steps that fans need to think about before they head off to the tournament, from passport validity to health prescriptions.
• Read our travel advice and sign up for e-mail alerts. World Cup-specific information can be found at gov.uk/qatar2022. Our Qatar travel advice is kept under constant review so fans should sign up for email alerts to stay up to date on the latest developments throughout the tournament.
• Follow the entry requirements for Qatar. To enter Qatar, fans must have a Hayya Card (a form of fan ID), as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 result through a valid PCR or rapid antigen test certificate. Accommodation must be arranged before travelling out.
• Get travel insurance. Without it, fans risk medical bills which may run to thousands of pounds. Fans should check that insurance covers them for all destinations, medical needs, COVID-19 costs and planned activities.
• Know the do’s and don’ts. Qatari laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. There may be serious penalties for doing something that is not an offence in the UK. The availability of alcohol, and associated laws, will be different to previous tournaments.
• Steer clear of drugs. Qatar takes a zero tolerance approach and visitors can expect a severe penalty for the possession of even residual amounts. Punishment can include lengthy custodial sentences.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The countdown to the World Cup is on, with only a month to go until the action kicks off in Qatar.

We want all travelling Brits to enjoy their World Cup experience, and they are more likely to do so if they prepare before they go.

Following our six top tips and signing up to Qatar travel advice email alerts will help fans have the best possible time at the tournament.

The FCDO is working closely with a range of partners, including the Football Associations, fan representatives and UK Police, to provide practical information and advice to travelling supporters.

England Manager, Gareth Southgate said:

I know how much our fans look forward to watching England at major tournaments.

With only one month to go, I would suggest anyone travelling to the World Cup signs up for the UK Government’s travel alerts.

As well as keeping them across all the information they need, they will get important tips too for getting the most out of following England away. We look forward to seeing them all at the finals.

Wales Manager, Rob Page said:

Everyone in Wales is looking forward to seeing Cymru in the World Cup, our first appearance in the competition since 1958.

For those fans who are travelling to Qatar, we know how excited they are to be watching Cymru play at the tournament but it’s incredibly important that they keep up to date with the very latest information and advice.

For the best possible experience, we advise our fans to sign-up to the Qatar travel advice email alerts.

Ashley Brown, England Fan Embassy Team, part of the Football Supporters Association said:

Travelling to World Cups always requires a level of planning for supporters to make sure we get the most out of a tournament – whether that’s match days, sightseeing or general safety.

Qatar has very different laws to the UK and we’d encourage all fans to familiarise themselves with the FCDO’s six top tips and to follow the FSA for further supporter-specific updates.

Paul Corkrey, Fan Embassy Wales said:

This is our first World cup in a generation and we know the Welsh fans will be determined to enjoy the experience.

It is a trip to the unknown but information is available and we urge the Red Wall to bookmark the FCDO travel advice website.

The UK will have a consular presence in Qatar and across the region throughout the tournament. British nationals needing help or advice will be able to contact the FCDO by phone 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or by calling the Embassy locally on +974 4496 2000.  Fans in Qatar can access the Qatari emergency services by dialling 999.

Fans planning to travel elsewhere in the region should check the travel advice for each location they plan to visit or transit through. Rules and requirements will vary from country to country.