Football fans traveling to Qatar may find their plans severely disrupted by the planned strike action, which will see hundreds of workers leave the workplace in protest of improved wage terms.
Heathrow Airport is expected to be the focal point of strike activity over the coming several weeks, which could cause travel arrangements for England supporters to the World Cup to fall apart.
The final rounds of domestic league games are scheduled to be played just over a fortnight before the tournament begins.
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Since Qatar was chosen as the host nation, fans’ travel and lodging plans were undoubtedly set in stone, but there now seems to be new uncertainty. The Unite union announced that 700 workers at Heathrow Airport who are involved in ground handling, airside transport, and cargo will go on strike beginning in the early hours of November 18 and continuing through November 21 in a pay dispute.
Given that the strike action will last until the day of the Three Lions’ opening match against Iran, England fans in particular will be extremely worried about their chances of traveling to Qatar. Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, and 4 are expected to experience delays as a result of the strikes. Considering that it is based in Terminal 4, Qatar Airways could be particularly impacted.
“Strike action will surely create inconvenience, delays, and cancellations to flights throughout Heathrow, with travelers to the World Cup particularly affected,” said Kevin Hall, a regional officer for the Unite union.
It is anticipated that operators like Virgin, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates would all be impacted by the planned action, so the effects won’t stop there.
Heathrow Airport strikes are expected to have an impact on Qatar Airways.
While fans will be closely monitoring the schedule in the coming weeks as they get ready to fly to Qatar, it appears that certain other supporters will actually be rewarded for their attendance at the competition.
According to reports, forty England supporters will apparently receive travel compensation for their trip to Qatar as part of a “fan leader” program operated by the host nation, where they would be expected to promote the nation.
The fans, who number around 400 and are dispersed among the competing nations, have agreed to abide by a code of conduct and are required to remain in Qatar for at least a fortnight.
In exchange, they will receive complimentary transportation, lodging, match tickets, and £60 per day loaded to a Visa card to cover food and beverage expenses. On November 17, just before the strike action begins, they are scheduled to take off for Doha.
According to reports, forty England supporters will apparently receive travel compensation for their trip to Qatar as part of a “fan leader” program operated by the host nation, where they would be expected to promote the nation.
The fans, who number around 400 and are dispersed among the competing nations, have agreed to abide by a code of conduct and are required to remain in Qatar for at least a fortnight.
In exchange, they will receive complimentary transportation, lodging, match tickets, and £60 per day loaded to a Visa card to cover food and beverage expenses. On November 17, just before the strike action begins, they are scheduled to take off for Doha.
A FA spokesperson stated: “The England Supporters Travel Club was invited by the Qatar Supreme Committee to manage the registration procedure for fans to join the World Cup “Fan Leaders” Forum.
“We were informed that this was an opportunity to interact with fans from all participating countries to make sure their voices were heard effectively during the World Cup preparation process and that other international football associations were being consulted.
“Since the first registration procedure, the initiative has been overseen by the Qatar Supreme Committee, and we haven’t participated in it any further or seen the “code of conduct” or any of the participation terms and conditions.”