Read for 2 minutesUpdated: June 18, 2026 01:27 PM IST
Qatar brought an exciting side to the World Cup by treating a large number of supporters to an all-expenses-paid trip to North America.
About 1,000 Qatari fans have landed in Vancouver on a jet chartered by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ahead of Thursday’s match against Canada.
Fans have stayed at posh hotels including the Fairmont and JW Marriott Park. Beating the traditional Darbuka drums, they march towards the city.
“First of all I would like to thank everyone who went the extra mile and traveled here,” said captain Abdulaziz Hatam.
“We are very conscious of the responsibility. We are going to do whatever it takes to make them leave the stadium happy and make them proud of us.” Qatar’s Social and Sports Contribution Fund partnered with the Persian Gulf nation’s soccer federation to fund the “Qatari Fans Delegation Program” for the World Cup. This fund covers flights, hotels and local transport and other allowances.
The federation said it wanted to “create a vibrant stadium environment that will help players push for the best possible results at the global level.” Qatari students from the United States and Canada were also invited to attend the matches.
Qatari fans are sure to outnumber the red-clad Canadians at BC Place.
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A major exporter of natural gas and oil, Qatar has a population of about 3.2 million. It hosted the World Cup in 2022 and participated in the tournament for the first time, becoming the first host nation to lose all group matches.
Qatar has done well this time. Boulem Khoukhi scored a header in stoppage time as Qatar drew 1-1 against Switzerland in Santa Clara, California.
Canada earned its first World Cup point in Toronto last Friday with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Cyle Larin scored the equalizer in the 78th minute.