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  • I'm an American who attended my first World Cup in Qatar. Here's what it was like on the ground.

I'm an American who attended my first World Cup in Qatar. Here's what it was like on the ground.

Max LieblerDec 15, 2022, 18:43 IST

I attended my first World Cup in Doha, Qatar.Max Liebler

  • I traveled to Qatar to attend the 2022 World Cup, the first ever to be held in the Middle East.
  • Visitors were expected to follow a dress code and could not drink alcohol in the stadiums.
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I went to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

I'd never attended the World Cup before flying to Doha.Max Liebler

I heard plenty about Qatar's strict social policies before coming to the Arab Gulf country.

Budweiser had exclusive rights to sell its beer around stadiums at the Qatar World Cup.Getty/Patrick Fallon
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From the time I flew into Doha, I was surrounded by soccer fans.

I arrived at the Doha International Airport a couple of days before attending a match.Max Liebler

My first stop was the Barwa Barahat Al Janoub Clusters, where I stayed for the majority of my trip.

The Barwa Barahat Al Janoub Clusters was the cheapest accommodation option on FIFA's portal.Max Liebler
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The public transportation was convenient and easy to navigate.

People helped me get to and from various destinations in Qatar.Max Liebler

FIFA's ticketing system placed all the value on being lined up with midfield rather than proximity to the field.

Sometimes the lower category tickets put me closer to the field.Max Liebler
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I ended up going to 11 games in total and watched all of the US Men's National Team's matches.

Even though I purchased a top-category ticket, my seat was far back from the field.Max Liebler

I had an easy time meeting people throughout the tournament.

Fans flooded the streets to cheer on their teams, even if they didn't have match tickets.Max Liebler
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The Fan Festival was a great place to watch the games and was one of the few places in Qatar where I could buy alcohol.

The Fan Festival was a great spot to watch the games on big screens.Max Liebler

Between games, I visited Souq Waqif to eat and experience some Qatari culture.

I ate an authentic Qatari meal when I visited the Souq Waqif.Max Liebler
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I also found that embracing the traditional dress was encouraged but not required.

I bought a $33 thobe and wore it to the matches.Max Liebler

Going to Qatar for the World Cup was an experience I'll never forget.

Licensed venues could sell alcohol in Qatar, but spectators couldn't drink in the stadiums.Max Liebler
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