ไทย
English
中國人
VANCOUVER — Qatar supporters are attending World Cup fixtures at no cost through government-subsidized tickets, though their numbers may dwindle when the team faces co-hosts Canada in Vancouver for their second Group B clash on Thursday.
Qatar's Football Association recently teamed up with the government to help finance travel for 1,000 supporters from the Middle East to North America for the World Cup. This initiative involved chartering three Qatar Airways flights to San Francisco for the tournament's opening 1–1 draw against Switzerland, but the organization is struggling to get fans into Canada while continuing to offer fully covered tickets.
Qatari supporters were able to enter a lottery for spots on the flights, with 800 fans having their travel costs, including accommodation, fully covered. However, the tickets have also been made accessible to many people across North America through social media advertising campaigns.
While Qatar enjoyed a considerable following in San Francisco, support could be noticeably thinner against the co-hosts in Vancouver. Multiple sources have told Sports Illustrated that Canadian fans have exploited the tickets through a largely unsecured registration process.
To obtain tickets, fans were required to register on the Qatar FA's website and submit their FIFA ticketing account information, including name, address, and email, along with which Arab country they identify with. The sole requirement was to be from an Arab nation, but no additional verification measures were in place to stop fans from selecting any country, allowing them to pick whichever nation they wished, regardless of any actual ties to it.
"I just decided to sign up, so I put my name, said I was Arab, and put the country that my family is from... I just sent the request, thinking nothing much of it, and then a week later I got an email from the Qatar Football Association, followed by an email from FIFA with the ticket," one fan told SI, who requested anonymity out of concern their ticket could be revoked. "They didn't ask me for any proof. Didn't ask me for a birth certificate or anything. It was just you claiming that you're Arab and selecting which country."
According to sources, more than 150 fans planning to cheer for Canada in Canadian jerseys and colors managed to secure these complimentary tickets — a remarkable deal compared to the steep prices on both primary and secondary markets. Outside of the free Qatar supporters' tickets, the most affordable available tickets were $80 for select members of the Canadian supporters' group, The Voyageurs.
Fortunate fans who obtained Qatar tickets were also provided with Qatar merchandise to wear at the match, but Canadians who secured tickets are expected to show up in full Canadian attire, hoping to witness their team claim a first-ever men's World Cup victory after the opening 1–1 draw in Toronto marked the co-host nation's first-ever World Cup point.
"I'm sure there are going to be some Qatar fans, and maybe there are people who signed up for those tickets who are actually Arab residents who want to cheer for Qatar," the same anonymous fan added. "But I think it's going to be a lot from Canada."
Qatar's FA and media representative did not respond for comment before publication.
Qatar Fans Attend Second Match
Qatar fans were spotted marching through the streets of San Francisco ahead of the opening match against Switzerland, and SFGate reported that attendance was mandatory for fans staying in San Francisco hotels, while optional for those lodged in Santa Clara hotels near Levi's Stadium.
In Vancouver, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada, Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, stated that the country's diplomatic mission secured all necessary logistical arrangements to support the national team and traveling fans in the Canadian city.
Hundreds of Qatar supporters are still anticipated in the stands for the pivotal Group B showdown, but a significant number of seats are expected to be filled by Canadian fans. Both sides will feel the urgency to secure a victory, as the winner will be well-positioned to advance and potentially clinch the group title on the final matchday.