Opening ceremony of Al Bayt Stadium will include artistic performances and a pyrotechnic show
Tribune News Network
Doha
Two spectacular stadiums will host their first competitive matches on the opening day of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021.
Seen as a vital opportunity to fine-tune preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup™, the tournament will feature 16 national teams from across the Arab world.
Matches will be held at six Qatar 2022 venues, including Al Bayt and Stadium 974, which will both be inaugurated on Tuesday, 30 November.
Al Bayt will stage the Group A encounter between hosts Qatar and Bahrain (kick-off 7:30 PM local time), while Stadium 974 will host the United Arab Emirates versus Syria match in Group B (kick-off 10 PM local time).
It promises to be a festival of football and celebration of Arab culture. Here is some key information for the thousands of fans who will attend matches.
Tournament
The FIFA Arab Cup™ will consist of six match days in the group stage and a knockout phase consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off and the final, which will be played at Al Bayt on 18 December, which is Qatar National Day. Click here for the full tournament schedule.
Opening ceremony
Held prior to kick-off, the inauguration of Al Bayt will feature an opening ceremony that will include live performances from Iraqi singer Rahma Riad and other surprise performers. There will also be a stunning pyrotechnic display and a projection show telling the story of Arab unity.
Tickets
Tickets for the curtain-raisers at Al Bayt and Stadium 974, as well as the remaining 30 matches, are available on a first-come, first-served basis at FIFA.com/tickets.
A selection of affordable tickets is available, with category 4 tickets costing QAR 25 (Qatar residents only) for all matches, except the semi-finals and final. Click here for more information on ticket prices.
Tickets can also be purchased over the counter at the FIFA Venue Ticketing Centre, located at the Doha Exhibition Center (Al Qassar Metro Station).
Visa, FIFA’s Official Payment Services Partner, is the preferred payment method for fan ticket purchases.
Hay’ya Card (Fan ID)
In order to attend matches, every ticket holder must apply for a mandatory Hay’ya Card (Fan ID). After buying a ticket, fans should apply for a Hay’ya Card via fac21.qa. One Hay’ya Card will last each fan for the entire tournament.
For more information, click here to view a list of frequently asked questions about the Hay’ya Card or email [email protected]. Fans can also call one of the following numbers for assistance:
Qatar residents: +974 800 8052
International residents: +974 4475 2021
Accessibility
All six stadiums have been designed to be accessible to fans with disabilities. In addition to all venues offering a barrier-free user journey, including the provision of accessible seating, some stadiums will be outfitted with sensory rooms to provide a quiet space for fans with neurobehavioural needs.
An accessibility feature that will be introduced for the first time in the Arabic language will be audio descriptive commentary. Available at select stadiums, the service will provide blind and partially sighted fans with complementary narration of games delivered directly to their smart phones.
Once fans with disabilities arrive at stadiums on match day, they will be met by a dedicated team that will usher them to their seat.
Transport
Fans will be able to use public transport to attend matches, with the Doha Metro in close proximity to five of the six tournament venues. For the very latest information, visit our transport hub page.
COVID-19
For the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™, all spectators must be fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). Such spectators will not be required to undergo any COVID-19 testing.
To check the list of approved and conditionally approved vaccines, please visit the MOPH website. Fans will also need to show their EHTERAZ app upon arrival at the stadium.
Children under the age of 12 that are not vaccinated must provide evidence of a negative PCR test within 48 hours or a negative rRapid aAntigen tTest within 24 hours, prior to each match. Further restrictions may apply. For more information, please visit the MOPH website.
International visitors are advised to familiarise themselves with the COVID-19 protocols in both their country of origin and Qatar before travelling.
Ticket holders requiring further information can also find more details on FIFA.com.
To check the list of approved and conditionally approved vaccines, please visit the MOPH website.
To enter the stadium, you need to have either a green status with a golden frame in your EHTERAZ app or a green status with no frame along with one of the following documents:
- Vaccination Certificate from an approved vaccine
- Vaccination Certificate (Conditional Vaccine + Positive Antibody Report)
For healthcare reasons, a small percentage of customers with a green status with no frame with the documents below may be able to enter the stadium, but please note that this is not guaranteed:
- Negative Rapid Antigen Test results within the last 24 hours, prior to each match.
- Negative PCR test within the last 48 hours, prior to each match.
Please note that you should be informed about your country's action protocols in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and all the measures to be followed both for entering Qatar and for returning to your country.
