Sights and sounds from my 24 hour-long experience at the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. A friend and I were there for the France vs. Tunisia match on November 30. Ours was a Matchday visit. We flew to Doha from Muscat in the morning and returned early the next day. Our first stop was to visit the Corniche (Doha's waterfront), then out to see the match at Education City Stadium. After the game, we traveled back to the Corniche to go to the FIFA Fan Festival, where we watched the Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia match, enjoyed the sights, and acquired lots of swag. It was a super long day, and involved LOTS of walking (even with Doha's excellent public transportation system). We had a blast!!
Images and videos below...
On the way to Doha!
Outside Doha International Airport (Terminal 3), headed for a shuttle to the Metro.
A very swanky subway car...all the others we saw were clean and new, but not nearly this nice.
Getting off the Metro at the Corniche (Doha's waterfront).
Be sure to see the night photo of this tunnel.
Several miles of the Corniche (Doha's waterfront) were closed off to vehicles and highly decorated with lights and Instagram-able moments. This was all lit up at night!
Several miles of the Corniche (Doha's waterfront) were closed off to vehicles and highly decorated with lights and Instagram-able moments. This was all lit up at night!
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
The Fox Sports studio on the Corniche in Doha. Anyone watching the U.S. broadcasts of the World Cup would see the Fox broadcasting team here at night.
The Fox Sports studio on the Corniche in Doha. Anyone watching the U.S. broadcasts of the World Cup would see the Fox broadcasting team here at night.
The Fox Sports studio on the Corniche in Doha. Anyone watching the U.S. broadcasts of the World Cup would see the Fox broadcasting team here at night.
The Fox Sports studio on the Corniche in Doha. Anyone watching the U.S. broadcasts of the World Cup would see the Fox broadcasting team here at night.
A view of Doha harbor, and the World Cup emblem in the distance.
A view of downtown Doha from the Corniche.
La'Leeb, the official mascot of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
La'Leeb, the official mascot of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
A view of Doha harbor from the Corniche.
A view of downtown Doha from the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
Burj Al Mana
Much of Doha today was constructed in just the last 10 years, in anticipation of the World Cup. Many buildings (like this one) were are under construction. All were decorated for the tournament.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
Saudi Arabia has its own fan festival area on the Corniche.
Public art commemorating Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Anti-Corruption Excellence award in 2022.
Doha convention center and World Cup Media Center.
Doha convention center and World Cup Media Center.
La'Leeb at the Doha convention center. He was everywhere!
La'Leeb, mascot of this World Cup.
Done with the Corniche, on the shuttle to the Education City Stadium!
There were helpers and uniformed staff everywhere. It was near impossible to get lost, because there was always someone nearby to ask for directions.
One of many sights in Education City on our way to the stadium.
One of many sights in Education City on our way to the stadium.
One of many sights in Education City on our way to the stadium.
One of many sights in Education City on our way to the stadium.
Almost to the stadium.
Location map of Education City, in the vicinity of the stadium.
At the stadium.
Our entrance to the stadium. Our tickets came as part of a hospitality package.
One part of the Hospitality area in the stadium, where we hung out before and after the game, and could get food and drink...and even beer!
One part of the Hospitality area in the stadium, where we hung out before and after the game, and could get food and drink...and even beer!
Education City Stadium for the France vs. Tunisia group stage match.
Education City Stadium for the France vs. Tunisia group stage match.
Education City Stadium for the France vs. Tunisia group stage match.
After the match.
Headed to the Metro.
Entering the Metro, and headed to the FIFA Fan Festival at the Corniche.
In the Metro, and headed to the FIFA Fan Festival at the Corniche.
The Fox Sports broadcasting studio from a distance (we didn't walk over there, as the Fan Festival was in a different direction).
Downtown Doha at night. The building's changed colors.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
On the Corniche.
Approaching the FIFA Fan Festival.
Approaching the FIFA Fan Festival.
At the FIFA Fan Festival.
At the FIFA Fan Festival.
Back to Qatar