Here we are in the supporters' village of Qetaifan Island. An advance of concrete, bitumen and sand on the sea. Just opposite, we can see the skyscrapers of the new city of Lusail, north of Doha, built especially for this World Cup. Surrounded by barriers and security guards, 1,800 tents are lined up like in a military barracks. They are placed on the tarmac with a thin layer of sand for a little more softness. Toilets and showers are separate and a small shop has been set up to buy food. Small flags of each nation qualified for this World Cup flap at the top of each tent. Not a trace of shadow and the hot wind sweeps the site.
Barely arrived from Seattle, Amine rolls his suitcase and carries a large bag on his back. This young American supporter discovers his tent: tent number 212 in sector A. " There are two beds and they even put a bedside table with a lamp on it", he shows us. " In front, there is a small fan. I expected better in terms of air conditioning. But in fact, it corresponds to the description given on the website ." In front of the tent, even the doormat has not been forgotten. With this inscription in black: "Welcome to your home " . Amine will spend eleven nights there, eleven days in full sun. " It's sure it's Spartan but I'm in a desert environment in Qatar, not in Switzerland", tries to temper Amine. " It's in the middle of nowhere, and at the same time, it's better than nothing. We come for the football first and foremost."
Himed, a Tunisian from Paris, is a bit disappointed. " I don't like shared showers and toilets. I thought they were cabins or caravans. There is too much noise. Look with the wind blowing. I tried to sleep for two hours and that was complicated. I can't even imagine the night ."
Of camps like this, Qatar has set up a dozen with one argument: the price. Accompanied by a friend, Khalifa is from Saudi Arabia and has booked for three nights. “ Unfortunately with everyone here, we couldn't find a hotel room. The price for a tent is 700 Qatari riyals, 207 US dollars. We expected it, it's still a World Cup with a lot of people. » In a huge marquee serving as a reception, the manager of the Qetaifan site confirms it to us, all smiles: it has been full since Tuesday. “ A pride”, he says, for his country.
pagodelucia123 on November 23rd, 2022 at 11:26 UTC »
Billion not million
Willy_wolfy on November 23rd, 2022 at 12:48 UTC »
You'd want to be absolutely mental to rent a tent in a oven like Qatar and those things are apparently 175 or so a night.
Spartan2470 on November 23rd, 2022 at 13:38 UTC »
Here is the source of this image. Per there and Google Translate:
It links to this story that has two more images of this: