The World Cup has often proved quite the dilemma for the travelling fan; USA 1994, Japan and Korea 2002, not just a question of finances but also a logistical nightmare to negotiate, with tickets for the preferred games never a guarantee.
Qatar 2022 brings with it all the issues of World Cups' past, however, for the first time, supporters are now also being asked to look within, before participating in an event taking place in a country with a poor record on human rights.
Russia 2018, with the benefit of hindsight, now shines an even brighter light on the FIFA decision to award two World Cups on the same day, which was perhaps among the most controversial decisions made before the association attempted to reform in more recent times.
For those with very deep pockets and no qualms with how the tournament was awarded and to whom, this World Cup could actually prove the dream ticket; a month in the winter sun, top quality accommodation and very limited travel between venues once inside the Gulf state, with the metro system linking most of the venues, making it possible to attend more than one game a day.
For Irish fans, the moral compass was rarely a consideration, ever since Luxembourg beat Stephen Kenny's side in the second game of the qualifying campaign.
However, for the fans of the 32 countries that have qualified, it would appear that the general furore that comes with the travelling masses on such occasions may be dialled down quite a bit for this particular tournament.
Accommodation in Qatar has been an ongoing issue with many supporters unable to book hotels until they had bought tickets for their respective matches, and it has forced fans to think outside the box.
The German fans are among the thousands who have taken the decision to base themselves in Dubai for the duration, flying in and out of the UAE to Qatar for their matches, and while alcohol will be available in the host nation, the thoughts of getting sent to the 'Sober Zone' is maybe not selling the social side of things.
English fans will travel, as always, in huge numbers and likewise there will be a sizeable contingent dotted around destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and other renowned tourist destination within an hour’s flight from Qatar.
For the supporters based in Qatar, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued six top tips to help avoid preventable problems, including signing up for e-mail alerts, ensuring to be in possession of a Hayya Card (a form of fan ID), and the now standard proof of a negative Covid-19 result.
More importantly, they are been told to swot over the coming weeks to get familiar with the do’s and don’ts of Qatari laws and customs, as they are, apparently, very different to those in the UK, while also steering clear of drugs, as there is a zero tolerance approach with "a severe penalty for the possession of even residual amounts".
Those that are based in Dubai will be well catered for in the "craic" department, with Irish hotelier Dennis McGettigan taking over Dubai Media City Amphitheatre during the tournament, one of many Fan Zones being set up to cater for the imminent influx.
"The vastness of the space is exactly what we wanted. This was never going to be a place to 'just watch a game'. The Amphitheatre will be filled with the most incredible atmosphere that fans won’t want to leave, so it’s important that we have plenty of great things going on," said McGettigan.
In complete contrast, Denmark are doing their best to boycott all aspects of the tournament, aside from actually playing the football matches, as they have released a plain and mundane jersey for the occasion, while family and friends of the players will not travel to Qatar.
The Danish football association expect less than one thousand Danish fans at each of their three group games, while they are not offering additional information to those travelling due to their issues with the host country.
Danish fans could have secured up to 5,000 tickets per match, however, with only 2,000 tickets sold, the current figure puts the estimate at around 700 for each game.
"A total of 2,000 tickets have been sold to Danish fans right now. We are happy to give the Danes guidance about the stay, but we do not arrange fan zones or do other activities in Qatar, as we do not want to support the country," said Jakob Jensen, a Danish football association director.
The Dutch parliament urged their government not to send officials to the World Cup as a result of issues in Qatar surrounding the treatment of migrant workers, however, the Cabinet opted against the advice, saying it "intends to send a government delegation, as usual at major sporting events. We choose cooperation with Qatar with a view to sustainable change, [as staying away would] limit the opportunity for dialogue and cooperation".
"A painful and wrong prize fest in Qatar," commented the Netherlands Sports Journalists association (NSP), with some members of the press opting out, while inking a book 'Nooit Meer Qatar' (No More Qatar), which was published during the summer.
As for the famous travelling Orange Army, who are renowned for turning up in huge numbers, the allure of Qatar is not so appealing with around 3,000 expected to travel, which is poor by their standards, considering over 5,000 travelled to Brazil in 2014.
"The World Cup is not played in the summer now, so it is more difficult for many people to take a holiday, and it is also not a cheap World Cup, and life has recently become more expensive," said a Dutch FA (KNVB) spokesperson.
Fans that stay home are being well catered for, with some matches being broadcast in the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, which will be transformed into the 'House of Orange’ to accommodate 55,000 for World Cup viewing parties – the stadium roof will, of course, be closed to combat the bitter winter weather.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, the opposite is happening with many bars and cafés joining a boycott to snub the World Cup for the duration of the tournament; a decision that has garnered a lot of support in the Belgian capital.
While many fans have decided to stay away, expect the stadiums to be largely full throughout the tournament with the host nation selling over one million tickets, while there have also been strong sales in Saudi Arabia, Mexico and the USA.
The USA, as they say, are all in for the World Cup, stating that Qatar is one of the major leaders in the region and a "non-NATO ally", while the fans can expect a "once in a lifetime" experience.
"Our estimates are approaching about some 100,000 American fans or either side of the figure who are expected to visit Qatar during the World Cup," said local US ambassador Timmy T Davis.
"Before they come, we will provide them all the necessary information and all the assistance needed while they are here.
"We are excited about Qatar hosting the World Cup. The US is part of the next edition of the World Cup and our hope is to learn from Qatar the entire lessons of a successful World Cup.
"I am convinced that Qatar will host a World Cup that will be a model for major international sports events. I am reassuring all Americans that coming to Qatar will be a once in a lifetime experience."
