Doha, 07 Dec. 2022

Brig. Abdullah Khalifa Al-Muftah, Head of Media Unit, FIFA World Cup 2022 Safety and Security Operations Committee, Commander of the Security Media Sector and Community Partnership has said that after half the days of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 passed, it proved the success of all parties and their cooperation in organizing this global event. The security efforts of the tournament security force and the Ministry of Interior have accomplished this version of the FIFA World Cup the safest one, by applying security and safety measures for the masses in accordance with the best standards used in various locations. He underscored that the State of Qatar is leading in international safety and security indicators, such as the Global Peace Index, the Numbeo Database, and other indicators.

Present on the occasion were Col. Dr. Jabr Hammoud Al-Nuaimi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior and the FIFA World Cup Qatar Security Force, Col. Jassim Al BuHashem Al-Sayed, Exe Director of the Office of Commander of Security Operations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Maj. Abdullah Sultan Al-Ghanim and members of the media.

Al-Muftah said that the tournament security force planned specifically to provide all facilities and services to the tournament attendees, at competitive and non-competitive facilities, to provide the appropriate security environment for the participating teams and tournament referees in the tournament stadiums, training sites and residences.

He said that since the start of the tournament on 20 November, no major or security-disturbing crimes have been recorded, and that the reports received by the National Command Center (NCC) were few and minor compared to the number of fans participating in the World Cup. The security authorities dealt with them with high efficiency. All the movements of the fans witnessed a smooth flow of entry and exit to sports facilities, and the security authorities provided guidance services to the fans and the required assistance in all events.

The security authorities were also keen to follow up and address any observations delivered by the fans through various media, being complaints or observations, and they were dealt with and answered in recognition of the importance of the opinion of the people participating in the tournament.

Col. Dr. Jabr Hammoud Al-Nuaimi, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Interior and the security force of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said that the security authorities represented by the Ministry of Interior and the security force of the tournament made great security efforts using the latest communication systems between all units through the operations rooms in the tournament facilities and the fan areas, linked to both the tournament command center and the Central Operations Room of the National Command Center.

The spokesperson provided some statistics on the tournament, stating that the total number of calls received by the National Command Centre reached 585,606, of which 16,000 were calls in the official languages of the world cup.

Communications included inquiries, suggestions, and complaints in different languages, based on the diversity of the tournament fans’ languages. The total official security movements to secure the movement of participating teams reached 4,256 by various security patrols. As many as 21,579 vehicles undergone security screening to ensure the safety of tournament participants, where the sites included 37 hotels, 36 stadiums and 8 main stadiums.

Col. Jasim Al BuHashim introduced the entry procedures into the State of Qatar for citizens and residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council through the State’s air, land and sea ports. The concerned authorities have initiated to allow GCC nationals and residents to enter the country without the need to obtain Hayya card for non-match ticket holders in accordance with normal entry procedures as follow.

First: The entry through Airports: GCC nationals and residents coming to Qatar will be able to enter without requiring registration via the Haya platform from 6 December 2022.

Second: Entry into the State through the land port using buses: Bus transport will be available to all travelers through the road port, as is normal, and parking will be allocated to visitors without fees.

Third: Entry through land port in private vehicles. The GCC nationals and residents who are coming via road in their own vehicles will be able to enter the country from 8 December 2022. They will be required to apply to the permit via the Ministry of Interior website at least 12 hours before the date of travel, without requiring payment of pre-entry fees for vehicles.

He added that these measures come in the context of the state’s efforts to allow visitors from citizens and residents of the GCC countries to enjoy the associated activities and entertainment events of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Maj. Abdullah Sultan Al-Ghanim asserted that the security personnel of the Championship Security Force and Public Security worked to provide the best safe environment for living this tournament in various fan areas.

He reminded that the fans wishing to attend World Cup matches were required to have tickets and Hayya card. Those without tickets would not be allowed to enter the stadium and would be dealt with in accordance with the necessary procedures to ensure everyone’s safety and security.