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With the 2014 World Cup opening in Brazil tomorrow, there are several ways to watch the matches in Qatar. Here’s our guide to enjoying the tournament:
Tune in at home
FIFA is live-streaming the tournament, but that feed is only available in some countries, and doesn’t include Qatar. So those who wish to watch the games at home while here will have to pay for a beIN Sports global subscription, which is available for televisions, home computers and mobile devices.
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This can be done by purchasing a beIN Sports set-top box and then buying a World Cup package subscription.
Alternatively, Ooredoo customers with a direct-to-home Mozaic package can purchase a beIN Sports+ global package by pressing the blue button on their remote control.
Go out
Several venues around Qatar have announced plans to screen the matches. The opening game will be played by Brazil and Croatia, and kick off on Thursday, June 12 at 11pm Doha time.
The list of places to watch the matches so far include:
The Gaming Lounge
This 24/7 spot in Al Sadd will screen matches on TV screens up to 60″ large. Cost of attendance is QR15/person, but there is no additional fee to watch the matches if attendees are already playing games. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, call 40298521.
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Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha
The Sky Villa on the 61st floor will turn into a “stadium overlooking the city” from June 12 to June 28, with grass on the floor and a large television screen. The entrance fee is QR50/person, but doesn’t cover the cost of drinks or snacks.
Entrance is free starting in Ramadan (which is expected to fall around June 28 this year). Due to limited space, Kempinski is asking people to RSVP by calling 4405-3325 or emailing [email protected]
Oryx Rotana Doha
This hotel is inviting residents to “shout at the top of your lungs” with an enthusiastic crowd of World Cup fans at its Al Nafourah Tent. The cost of attendance is spending at least QR150 inside the tent, and the matches will be screened from June 12 until end of Ramadan.
Reservations are recommended by calling 4402 3333.
La Cigale Qatar
Selected matches with English commentary (including Thursday’s match) will be screened at the Le Central restaurant. The cost of attendance is QR99/person and includes a salad bar and free drink options.
Reservations are recommended and can be made at 4428 8771.
Selected matches (including Thursday’s match) will also be screened with Arabic commentary at the hotel’s Shisha Garden. The cost of attendance is to spend at least QR80/person. Reservations are recommended and can be made at 4428 8702.
Four Seasons Doha
Matches will be showed on big screens from June 12 to June 28 (6pm to 3am) at the Tent in the Garden Terrace. The cost of attendance is to spend at least QR165/person on drinks, snacks and shisha. Reservations can be made at 4494 8888.
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Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel
A launch party for the World Cup will be held on Thursday at the Champions Bar from 5pm to 2am. Cost of attendance is QR60/person and includes one beverage. Matches will be screened at Champions on two big screens from June 12 to June 26. Reservations can be made at 44196100.
Hilton Hotel – Doha
The Hilton is screening all the tournament’s matches at a newly set-up fan zone that has giant screens. Entry is free and a DJ from Dubai will be playing music.
Ezdan Hotels
Ezdan will screen matches at its sports zone tent on the 4th floor of the complex’s atrium. Family and friends are invited to watch the games while eating snacks and soft drinks. The cost of entrance is QR75/person.
Intercontinental Hotel Doha
Paloma and Belgian Cafe will both be screening the matches over the next month. A hotel representative told Doha News that there is no minimum cost to attend. At Belgian Cafe, customers can either sit at the bar or get a table and order food.
At Paloma, there’s only a cover fee on Wednesdays (QR80/person) for men who don’t dine because it is a weekly ladies’ night. Those who plan to sit and eat should reserve their tables at 44844954.
Holiday Villa Hotel and Residences
Kafe Ole will screen the matches and offer a “Samba Fever” dinner buffet as part of their World Cup promotion. There is no minimum cost to watch, but the restaurant said they would like attendees to at least order some beverages and snacks. To make reservations, call 44084248.
St. Regis Doha
Jazz at Lincoln Center players go on hiatus over the summer, so the club will turn into a sports bar for the World Cup. There is no minimum spending limit to watch the games. For reservations and more information, call 44460451.
W Doha
Matches during the first two weeks of the tournament will be screened at the poolside lounge, Wahm. After that, games will be aired in the Ramadan tent.
Download and view the full match schedule here (PDF).
Or for Doha times, see here:
The finals are tentatively scheduled for July 13 (which falls in the middle of Ramadan), and the international football community is already picking its favorites:
Who do you think will win? Thoughts?
