Guests invited to watch the World Cup for free in Qatar are not allowed to speak ill of the host country.

According to the New York Times, the Qatari Supreme Committee for Transportation and Heritage (SC) confirmed in early November that it had invited nearly 1,600 tourists from around the world to Qatar to watch the 2022 World Cup for free. The target group includes social media influencers and leaders of football fan groups in the 32 countries with teams participating in the group stage. On average, each country will have about 30-50 people invited by the organizers.

These guests will have their round-trip airfare, accommodation, and a daily allowance of approximately $69 fully sponsored by the host country. In addition, they will also be allowed to watch the matches for free.

The conditions for receiving these trips are that guests must sign a pledge. According to this pledge, they will sing hymns or the national anthem at the opening match on November 20th, the match involving the host nation, and refrain from speaking negatively about the host country. In addition, the group of guests is also responsible for monitoring and identifying individuals writing articles that criticize Qatar and reporting them to the government during the World Cup. Those who violate this will be disqualified from the program.

The vast majority of fans from all FIFA federations accepted the attractive offer. A board member of the American Outlaws, the largest fan group in the United States, agreed to participate in Qatar's program and assisted other members in registering.

Previously, during World Cup events, the leaders of national fan groups were invited by the organizers to Qatar for free to participate in a series of activities such as kayaking on artificial waters, visiting the mansion of a famous fan from the host country – home to an impressive collection of supercars and signed jerseys from numerous famous players including Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Lionel Messi. They even had the chance to meet David Beckham, one of the ambassadors of the 2022 World Cup. The organizers also encouraged participants to share their experiences in Qatar on social media.

Although Ahsan Mansoor, a representative of the organizing committee and director of fan interaction for the 2022 World Cup, stated, "Guests are not obligated to promote or do anything," the commitment requiring fans to comply has actually caused much controversy.

Besides, not everyone was enthusiastic about the free program. Joseph Delage, a member of a famous French fan club, stated: "Although the program sounds quite attractive, the conditions Qatar has set have gone too far, and I don't want to lose face."

Ronan Evain, CEO of Football Supporters Europe, an organization comprising fan groups recognized by European football's governing body, said: "Since Qatar hosted the World Cup, the country has consistently strived to protect its image amidst a climate of turmoil, including corruption, environmental pollution, and human rights issues..."

However, thousands of fans and international tourists have already signed up for this free trip. A board member of the American Outlaws, the largest fan club in the US, has agreed to participate in Qatar's program and is assisting other members with registration. The list is being finalized, awaiting departure and the opportunity to enjoy many luxurious experiences for free in Qatar.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao