In small Qatar, three quarters of the World Cup participants will live in Doha City. The German Football Association, on the other hand, is drawn to the northern tip. The DFB becomes world champion in commuting.
Gianni Infantino has already determined ex cathedra that the World Cup in Qatar “best ever” will be. The president of the world association has moved his residence to the emirate on the Persian Gulf. He’s been drumming for years for an event associated with the adjective “controversial” is benevolently circumscribed.
“symbol of compactness”
The World Cup brings in billions of euros for FIFA, which is why the association is playing the drums. On Tuesday (07/26/2022) he sent the message “Team quarters symbolizing the compactness of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022” out into the world.
Qatar 2022 “absolutely unique” becomes ColinSmithFIFA Operations Director for the World Cup, quotes, partly because of the short distances: “Players will have more time for training and recovery during the tournament, while also being able to experience the excitement across the country up close, as players and fans from all 32 countries will gather in one place.“
The place is Doha, the capital of the emirate. According to FIFA, three quarters of the participating teams are based within a ten-kilometer radius of Doha. Others set up camp in the suburbs, the Belgians live in the far west of the country, which borders the Gulf with its capital in the east.
Half Hesse
The compactness emphasized by FIFA can hardly be avoided in Qatar, because the state stretches from north to south for less than 200 kilometers. Qatar is around 11,500 square kilometers in size, which is a good half of Hesse.
About 75 minutes driving time – without traffic jams
The German Football Association (DFB) will still have to drive 111 kilometers to get from their luxury quarters on the northern tip to the Khalifa International Stadium, where the first group game is scheduled for November 23. On Thursday (07/27/2022) at 11 a.m., Google Maps spit out a travel time of 1:12 hours for the route with only minor traffic disruptions. Japan, the first opponent of the DFB selection, would have needed 17 minutes for 9.1 kilometers from their quarters.
“We want to offer our team the best possible conditions for a successful tournament. By choosing this facility, we have met almost all of our requirements and needs for a team hotel turn off gaming”director Oliver Bierhoff became quoted in the noticewith which the DFB announced the choice of the so-called base camp in May.
District of the DFB in disrepute
Not only is the resort far removed from the hustle and bustle by Qatari standards, it has also fallen into disrepute. Research by the sports show revealed that there are massive allegations against the real estate company “Msheireb Properties”, which owns the hotel complex. A former guest worker reported to the sports show about exploitative living and working conditions.
“It’s crazy that the DFB is working with Msheireb. It shows me that it doesn’t matter what we experienced as migrant workers in Qatar.”said whistleblower Malcolm Bidali, who ended up in jail after criticizing Msheireb Properties chair Sheikh Musa bint Nasser, mother of the Emir of Qatar.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who was only elected to office in March, said he knew nothing of Bidali’s allegations when choosing the quarter. The association stated in writing that not only sporting aspects were important when deciding in favor of the Zulal Resort, but also the working conditions for local employees. The DFB, it was further said, will pay careful attention to the conditions for employees during the World Cup at companies with which it works directly in Qatar.
German fans fly in to the games from the UAE
German football fans will find it difficult to reach the resort of the DFB selection, at least those who are organized in the “National Team Fan Club” and book their trip to the World Cup through it. The fan club offers several packages, each including a shuttle flight from Dubai to the games. Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is approximately 400 miles from Doha by car.
“The implementation of a fan camp in the World Cup host country Qatar was organizationally not possible”said the fan club.
The note in FIFA’s notification that “not by flight between the venues” must be commuted, therefore only applies to the teams of which the German will be world champions in commuting, at least in the preliminary round.
After all, the Al Bayt Stadium, where Germany’s games against Spain and Costa Rica will be played, is only 78 kilometers and therefore just under an hour’s bus ride from the northern tip of Qatar.