Update Post: December 9, 2023 9:46 am
Almost a year after the World Cup in Qatar, little remembers that nine months ago the most important tournament in the world of football was held here. Only occasionally in the city can you see fences covered with a sun-faded tarp in the style of the tournament and figures of the Qatar World Cup mascot: Laib. The country is moving forward and now Doha is preparing to host another major event: the Expo 2023 horticultural exhibition, which starts here in October and will run until the end of March next year. It will be held in Al Bidda Park, next to the square where the main fanzone was located last year. Interestingly, to simplify the entry of tourists to the exhibition, the country’s authorities activated the Hayya Card, the same local Fan ID that was valid here during the World Cup.
While construction is taking place directly at the fan zone site, final preparations for the Expo are underway, although most of the facilities are already ready and waiting for visitors.
Life in Qatar after the World Cup
Photo: Getty Images/Championship
Next to the fanzone is the long embankment of the Corniche, which during the 2022 World Cup became the largest “theater”: performances by artists and cultural events were held here, as well as kiosks with food and drinks.
Cornice in Doha
Photo: “Championship”
Square near the metro in Doha
Photo: “Championship”
The embankment along which you could walk from the main fan area to the Souq Waqif market was decorated with flags and attributes of the tournament, but now among the symbols of the World Cup there is only the solitary Laib, battered by the sun and winds.
Laib sculpture
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
The Wakif souk, where fans gathered during the World Cup, is empty during the day (which is not surprising: at +40°C, obviously only the bravest go out for a walk). In stores, the assortment of national team uniforms was replaced by Saudi club shirts and Inter Miami shirts, traditional souvenirs were replaced by those with World Cup symbols.
Souk Waqif Market
Photo: “Championship”
Souk Waqif Market
Photo: “Championship”
Souk Waqif Market
Photo: “Championship”
No one shouts “This way” on the subway anymore and trains now run every three minutes instead of every 30 seconds.
Metro in Doha
Photo: Getty Images/Championship
There is no longer a big store for fans, but we managed to find a small corner with World Cup souvenirs in one of the shopping centers. Now they sell leftovers at half price, so the assortment is quite limited: pencil sharpeners, pencils, swimsuits, towels, some T-shirts, bags… nothing that attracts attention.
The fan village, which was filled with hundreds of colorful trailers, still exists, but now the remains are sold there: fire extinguishers, air conditioners, kiosks, toilets and some parts. You can also buy the hotel’s caravans – the girl who works there said they are actively renting them out. Qatar also sent some 10,000 mobile homes used for fans to Turkey and Syria as humanitarian aid after the earthquake.
fan village
Photo: “Championship”
The Lusail stadium, which hosted the final, is open to visitors, but only for strolling; They are not allowed to enter because the stadium is being prepared for the Asian Cup, which will be held here in winter. Near the stadium there are deteriorated signs, some kind of construction site and an empty boulevard.
Life in Qatar after the World Cup
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
In general, returning to Doha a year after the World Cup evokes mixed feelings: it is a kind of mixture of nostalgia and unfamiliarity, because everything around us is very empty and quiet. But at the same time, it cannot be said that life here has stopped and that after the tournament the country has slowed down; On the contrary, there are more cars on the roads, there are quite a few people on the subway, there are fewer construction sites, and there are more amenities for pedestrians and residents. New great events are coming, for which the World Cup was a great boost.
Qatar was heavily criticized, but still turned out to be a winner:
Qatar won despite harsh criticism from the world. There are many reasons for this.