Football fever grips Oman as FIFA World Cup trophy comes to town

Muscat: Soccer followers in Oman spent a superb a part of Friday night queuing up exterior Royal Opera Home Muscat for a sneak peek on the FIFA World Cup trophy, which got here to the nation as a part of a promotional tour forward of the 2022 model of the event.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will likely be held in Qatar in November and December this 12 months, is the primary event within the Arab area, and the promotional trophy tour consists of stopovers in plenty of Arab nations corresponding to Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, earlier than reaching the host nation.

The trophy was obtainable for public viewing from 5pm to 9pm, however Hasan and his two football-mad sons have been within the queue at 4pm, having pushed all the way in which from Sohar.

“For a event as iconic as this to return to the Gulf is simply wonderful – we’re used to the World Cup being held in Europe, so now we perceive how soccer fever grips them,” mentioned Hasan, who’s a Brazil supporter, similar to his boys.

The recent climate, with temperatures rising to 40 levels in the course of the daytime and remaining within the thirties because the solar units, did little to discourage followers of the attractive recreation from seeing the World Cup trophy first-hand.

“I’ve been watching the World Cup ever since I used to be a baby,” mentioned Yasser, who helps Spain. “To have the ability to see such an iconic piece of sporting tradition that has impressed tens of millions world wide, is simply wonderful. In a manner, I’m a bit unhappy that the World Cup just isn’t being held this summer time, as a result of that will imply it’s only a month away. However, I’m positive that when the event does start, it will likely be spectacular.”

Though there have been many who obtained an opportunity to take a look at the World Cup, in addition to the chance for innumerable poses, others sadly couldn’t make their ambitions a actuality owing to misunderstandings over reserving a spot to see the trophy: A web based reserving system had been arrange for individuals to purchase tickets for the showpiece occasion at ROHM, however many claimed they didn’t know such a facility even existed.

“Like myself, a lot of those that turned up have been confused by the presence of the ticketing system, as we weren’t even conscious of the identical,” mentioned Manoj, an expatriate who got here together with his spouse and baby. “There was no point out of it on-line, and no manner to purchase tickets on the venue. There have been many others – locals and overseas nationals alike – who have been unable to enter the venue due to this case.”

Fortuitously, a sort Omani gave an additional ticket to Manoj’s son – a Germany supporter – whereas the organisers have been capable of organize for his spouse and himself to take a look at the trophy.

“Really, this was a as soon as in a lifetime alternative, and I’m glad my household and I have been capable of expertise it,” he mentioned.
The FIFA World Cup trophy got here to Oman on Friday afternoon, accompanied by former World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, who was a part of the victorious Brazil workforce of 2002.

He was met by ex-Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, in addition to Oman Soccer Affiliation President Salim Al Wahaibi and Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat.