FOOTBALL After the time of scandals, the question now arises of the potential for fervor of this 2022 World Cup. For the moment, the atmosphere is rising timidly, even if the event attracts the curious
Football fans strolling on Wednesday in Doha (Qatar), in a fan zone set up especially for the Football World Cup. — Keita Iijima/AP/SIPA
- Two days before the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday (5 p.m.) in Doha, the popular fervor is struggling to rise around this football World Cup.
- Like 20 Minuteshas been able to observe for two days in Qatar, very few football supporters set the mood on the spot.
- Only Tunisians, Moroccans… and Indians are really present in large numbers in Doha, before the launch of the event.
From our envoy; special to Doha,
We already know; that the 2022 World Cup will not be that of ecology. The smog of Doha and the big American pick-ups that occupy the wide local roads are not there. to deny it. We have also known for a long time that the World Cup in Qatar will not be that of workers’ rights. Having seen exhausted workers douse themselves with water during their lunch break under a dodger that not many people dare to face in broad daylight, will not make us say the opposite.
This World Cup of scandals – from our western point of view, because the Arab world, India and Latin America are eagerly awaiting it – is at least one of hospitality. without limits. From taxi to; the hotel, our luggage passes from the hands of the driver to the hotel. that of the staff of the establishment, without ever touching ours (we should above all not break our porcelain arms). The initial scene of our journey is symbolic of an omnipresence. In the Doha Metro, there is always someone to tell you where to go. go, where go out, where return.
In short, this World Cup will be that of things and others. But can it be the one with the right atmosphere? After all, it’s a promise from Gianni Infantino: “Qatar are going to give us the greatest World Cup ever”. A flute tune already played by the boss of Fifa in 2018. We recognize all the same that the emirate has given itself the means of its ambitions by investing 220 billion euros to host the competition.
The advantage of the “unlimited money” sponsored by hydrocarbons, it’s because the question of infrastructure is of little concern. With its beautiful, clean metro, its thousand and one flags on the Doha Corniche, its music and its pyrotechnic games, Qatar has unsurprisingly bet everything. about order and bling. Special mention for the giga place dedicated to the FIFA Fan Festival, whose final preparations are agitating the surroundings of Al-Bidda Park.
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The artificial to limits. Animations attract and arouse curiosity. Qataris and immigrants after dark, but they do not seem to carry the culture of supporterism in their blood. The footpaths are sparsely populated and fan gatherings as rare as water in the nearby desert.
The senses are little developed; contribution: no drums, frying smell, and even less smoke. “You know, Qatar and the big atmosphere are not really compatible,” smiles Camille, a young expatriate teacher. since a year. Even some volunteers, like Zair, a young Afghan who runs an official knick-knacks shop on the Corniche, aren’t necessarily very into football. “I am very happy to be here. But my thing is more cricket.” So cliché.
Tunisians, Moroccans and Indians out in force
We must therefore rely on others, on start with the Indians, who came en masse – or already staff on site – supporting England, Argentina, France, Brazil and Portugal. Suspected of having been paid by the host country, some of them complained about these “degrading” findings. The CEO of the World, Nasser Al Khater, denounced him; “baseless” accusations.
On the other hand, there is no possible doubt at all; About the Tunisian and Moroccan fans, the only ones to raise the decibels to pretty much suitably in the vicinity. But in a way that is still too sparse to be able to speak of fervor. The hope of seeing the show go up a notch isn’t quite enough. made dead. But the slider is somewhere between indulgence in the organizer of a party that only ever starts on D-Day, and the worry of seeing regular protagonists being desired in Qatar.
The South Americans, who had kept us in suspense before the kickoff of the high mass in Russia, are for the moment few in number. Argentinians and Mexicans will come in large numbers – they are among the biggest ticket holders for this World Cup – but not continuously. Some of them will create in neighboring countries, and it will therefore be necessary to wait until match days to take advantage of their talents as hall drivers.
< img class=”aligncenter” src=”https://thegaltimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/world-cupbsp2022nbsp-nbspme-i-prefer-cricketnbsp-la-ferveur-du-mondial-will-it- win-dohanbsp-4a97ca0.jpg” alt=”World Cup 2022: “I prefer cricket”, will World Cup fervor win Doha?” />
Tunisian supporters at; Doha – William Pereira/20 Minutes
At worst, there will remain the safaris in the desert, at the end of the day. back of a camel or in a 4×4, to create an illusion. And the sound systems of boats moored in the bay, never far away to break the ambient calm. There will also be concerts by the Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias and Maroon 5. to sing during the opening ceremony. Like what, money does not buy everything. Well almost.