The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 takes place at the end of this year – and it is not too soon for fans, business travellers, tour operators and sponsors to start thinking about travel plans.
The tournament runs from Monday 21 November to Sunday 18 December and promises to be different to any that have gone before.
It is the first World Cup to be staged in the Arab World and the first to be held outside of the traditional May to July window. Qatar is also the smallest country ever to host the finals, which creates new opportunities but also new challenges.
By chartering a flight to the Qatar World Cup 2022 groups of fans will have the comfort of skipping crowded airport terminals, with added safety and security, and the option of having nutritional meals onboard the flight. Whether you’re a tour operator or a group of fans looking to charter a flight to this can be cost-effective and convenient way you can travel at a time that suits you without the restrictions of a scheduled flight.
One of the unique aspects of a World Cup in Qatar is that the stadiums are so close together, including five in or on the outskirts of Doha itself.
The shortest distance to a stadium when travelling from the centre of Doha is 7km and the longest 46km – which makes it possible to fly into Doha from wherever you are based and arrive at a game quickly.
The stadiums hosting the 64 games in the 2022 World Cup are:
Location: Doha
Key facts:
Location: Al Khor
Key facts:
Location: Al Wakrah
Key facts:
Location: Al Rayyan
Key facts:
Location: Doha
Key facts:
Location: Al Rayyan
Key facts:
Location: Doha
Key facts:
Location: Doha
Key facts:
With demand for accommodation in Qatar high, many tour operators – and many supporters – are already considering whether to be based outside the country and fly in for games.
Chapman Freeborn aims to offer one-day return short-haul flights into Doha, allowing fans to jet in for the match and then leave after the game is over.
This opens up the possibility of a family holiday in Dubai , or a group holiday, with the added excitement of international football.
The most popular destinations are likely to be:
Abu Dhabi
The six-star hotels of Abu Dhabi are even closer to Doha, a flight of only 1hr 5 minutes and 200 miles in distance. It also offers a greater range of accommodation than Doha and a more established tourism offer.
Dubai
The legendary tourist hotspot is only a 1hr 11-minute flight away from Doha and we expect it to be the most popular destination for football fans from across the world. With a wide range of hotels, golf courses and tourist attractions, families can base themselves there for a winter holiday and then travel into Qatar for matches.
Oman
A venue which is tourist-friendly and less developed that Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offering a more authentic taste of Arabic life. A flight to Doha takes just 1hr 25 minutes.
Sharjah
Like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah is a United Arab Emirates state. Famous for its museums and art it is regarded as a family-friendly destination. The flight to Doha takes 1hr 34 minutes and the distance is 447 miles.
Turkey
For those interested in a European base – perhaps they have a holiday home or family in the region or are attracted to the area’s renowned resorts – Turkey is a surprise contender. The flight from Istanbul to Doha is around four hours, but might be faster from a regional hub.
The host nation Qatar will play their opening game against Ecuador in the Al Bayt Stadium on 21 November. One of the stand-out group games will be 2010 World Cup winners Spain facing off against four times winner Germany on 27 November. The final will be played at the spectacular Lusail Stadium on 18 December.
Time |
Date |
Match |
Stage |
Stadium |
| 13:00 | 21 Nov (Mon) | Senegal vs Netherlands | Group A | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 16:00 | 21 Nov (Mon) | England vs Iran | Group B | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 19:00 | 21 Nov (Mon) | Qatar vs Ecuador | Group A | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 22:00 | 21 Nov (Mon) | USA vs European qualifier | Group B | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 13:00 | 22 Nov (Tues) | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia | Group C | Lusail Stadium |
| 16:00 | 22 Nov (Tues) | Denmark vs Tunisia | Group D | Education City Stadium |
| 19:00 | 22 Nov (Tues) | Mexico vs Poland | Group C | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 22 Nov (Tues) | France vs Intercontinental qualifier | Group D | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 13:00 | 23 Nov (Wed) | Morocco vs Croatia | Group F | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 16:00 | 23 Nov (Wed) | Germany vs Japan | Group E | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 19:00 | 23 Nov (Wed) | Spain vs Intercontinental qualifier | Group E | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 22:00 | 23 Nov (Wed) | Belgium vs Canada | Group F | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 13:00 | 23 Nov (Thurs) | Switzerland vs Cameroon | Group G | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 16:00 | 24 Nov (Thurs) | Uruguay vs Korea Republic | Group H | Education City Stadium |
| 19:00 | 24 Nov (Thurs) | Portugal vs Ghana | Group H | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 24 Nov (Thurs) | Brazil vs Serbia | Group G | Lusail Stadium |
| 13:00 | 25 Nov (Fri) | European qualifier vs. Iran | Group B | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 16:00 | 25 Nov (Fri) | Qatar vs Senegal | Group A | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 19:00 | 25 Nov (Fri) | Netherlands vs Ecuador | Group A | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 22:00 | 25 Nov (Fri) | England vs USA | Group B | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 13:00 | 26 Nov (Sat) | Tunisia vs Intercontinental qualifier | Group D | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 16:00 | 26 Nov (Sat) | Poland vs Saudi Arabia | Group C | Education City Stadium |
| 19:00 | 26 Nov (Sat) | France vs Denmark | Group D | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 26 Nov (Sat) | Argentina vs Mexico | Group C | Lusail Stadium |
| 13:00 | 27 Nov (Sun) | Japan vs Intercontinental qualifier | Group E | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 16:00 | 27 Nov (Sun) | Belgium vs Morocco | Group F | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 19:00 | 27 Nov (Sun) | Croatia vs Canada | Group F | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 22:00 | 27 Nov (Sun) | Spain vs Germany | Group E | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 13:00 | 28 Nov (Mon) | Cameroon vs Serbia | Group G | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 16:00 | 28 Nov (Mon) | Korea Republic vs Ghana | Group H | Education City Stadium |
| 19:00 | 28 Nov (Mon) | Brazil vs Switzerland | Group G | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 28 Nov (Mon) | Portugal vs Uruguay | Group H | Lusail Stadium |
| 18:00 | 29 Nov (Tues) | Ecuador vs Senegal | Group A | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 18:00 | 29 Nov (Tues) | Netherlands vs Qatar | Group A | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 22:00 | 29 Nov (Tues) | European qualifier vs England | Group B | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 22:00 | 29 Nov (Tues) | Iran vs USA | Group B | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 18:00 | 30 Nov (Weds) | Intercontinental qualifier vs. Denmark | Group D | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 18:00 | 30 Nov (Weds) | Tunisia vs France | Group D | Education City Stadium |
| 22:00 | 30 Nov (Weds) | Poland vs Argentina | Group C | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 30 Nov (Weds) | Saudi Arabia vs Mexico | Group C | Lusail Stadium |
| 18:00 | 1 Dec (Thurs) | Croatia vs Belgium | Group F | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 18:00 | 1 Dec (Thurs) | Canada vs Morocco | Group F | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 22:00 | 1 Dec (Thurs) | Japan vs Spain | Group E | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 22:00 | 1 Dec (Thurs) | Intercontinental qualifier vs Germany | Group E | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 18:00 | 2 Dec (Fri) | Ghana vs Uruguay | Group H | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 18:00 | 2 Dec (Fri) | Korea Republic vs Portugal | Group H | Education City Stadium |
| 22:00 | 2 Dec (Fri) | Serbia vs Switzerland | Group G | Stadium 974 |
| 22:00 | 2 Dec (Fri) | Cameroon vs Brazil | Group G | Lusail Stadium |
| 18:00 | 3 Dec (Sat) | A1 vs B2 | Round of 16 | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 22:00 | 3 Dec (Sat) | C1 vs D2 | Round of 16 | Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| 18:00 | 4 Dec (Sun) | D1 vs C2 | Round of 16 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 22:00 | 4 Dec (Sun) | B1 vs A2 | Round of 16 | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 18:00 | 5 Dec (Mon) | E1 vs F2 | Round of 16 | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 22:00 | 5 Dec (Mon) | G1 vs H2 | Round of 16 | Stadium 974 |
| 18:00 | 6 Dec (Tues) | F1 vs E2 | Round of 16 | Education City Stadium |
| 22:00 | 6 Dec (Tues) | H1 vs G2 | Round of 16 | Lusail Stadium |
| 18:00 | 9 Dec (Fri) | W53 vs W54 | Quarter-Finals | Education City Stadium |
| 22:00 | 9 Dec (Fri) | W49 vs W50 | Quarter-Finals | Lusail Stadium |
| 18:00 | 10 Dec (Sat) | W55 vs W56 | Quarter-Finals | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 22:00 | 10 Dec (Sat) | W51 vs W52 | Quarter-Finals | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 22:00 | 13 Dec (Tues) | W57 vs W58 | Semi-Finals | Lusail Stadium |
| 22:00 | 14 Dec (Weds) | W59 vs W60 | Semi-Finals | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 18:00 | 17 Dec (Sat) | L61 vs L62 | 3rd Place Play-offs | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 18:00 | 18 Dec (Sun) | W61 vs W62 | Final | Lusail Stadium |