The organizers of the World Cup have been talking for months about an "unprecedented event".
This is a regular phrase that is heard before every major event, but this time the Qataris will make a special effort to realize it - in an attempt to sweep away the criticism of the corruption that accompanied the decision to grant them the hosting of the games, and especially the death (according to various publications) of approximately 6,500 foreign workers during the construction The stadiums that will host the World Cup.
It is indeed expected to be an unprecedented World Cup, but it is not certain in the aspects that the hosts were aiming for.
First, because it will be, for the first time, a World Cup that will be played in winter.
Although in Qatar the temperatures will still be around 20+, but nothing there will compare in terms of climatic conditions to big tournaments we have known in the past.
Second, the fans will all be concentrated in the same city.
Qatar is very small, and everything will happen in Doha.
Although three of the stadiums are outside the city, getting to them will also be mostly from Doha and there - a relatively short driving distance.
This means that instead of many cities that will host a colorful happening, there will be only one city that will try to fulfill a task that is doubtfully suitable for its dimensions.
Part of the fun that characterizes such events is the atmosphere of liberation.
The mass street parties of the fans, the spontaneity, the alcohol and the endless joy before the games, and then the division into those who continue to celebrate and those who don't know where to bury their sorrows.
This is intensified when the host team is nominated to run forward, and then the locals lead the celebration.
Qatar has no chance of being any of these.
Her team is weak, and will hardly surprise.
The local population is small, and consists mostly of foreigners (mainly from Southeast Asia) and not of Qatari citizens.
This means that almost all Qataris will support other teams - probably mainly Argentina and Brazil, and also various European teams.
And if all this is not enough, then the streets will also look different: without alcohol, with engineered parties and mainly controlled by a country that holds what happens in it with a strong hand and strict laws.
It also has positive sides: the World Cup in Qatar is expected to be the safest in history.
Anyone who already holds a ticket/permit to enter the country during the World Cup understands what a process of data collection, control and control the Qataris are running.
They know everything about everyone who will get there - far from the spontaneity of charter flights to some European country, renting a car and moving to another country to watch a game and return home.
Qatar is ready for the World Cup, photo: AFP
Everyone who enters Qatar will be controlled and monitored 24/7.
In order to board the plane to Doha, the passenger is required to present permits obtained in advance at a designated website (Hayya), and upon landing in the country, he is required to install a local application (EHTERAZ) on his phone.
This is an application that was established during the Corona days to allow or prevent entry to places for those who are vaccinated or not, but in practice it is a permanent tracking tool on the location of everyone who installed it.
If we put the matter of surveillance aside for a moment (there is almost no country in the world, including the Western ones, that did not use similar methods during the Corona virus), this is another tool of the Qatari government to control what happens at home.
It is a direct continuation of the local stiffness, free of compromises and cornering, which is hard not to feel from the first moment.
This is evident in the number of police officers on the streets, in the number of traffic cameras on the city and intercity roads, and in the complete, unquestioning obedience of the locals and foreigners to the rules and laws.
The real danger: extremist terrorist organizations
When I visited Qatar six months ago, in preparation for the World Cup, I was surprised to find out how far it is from the glamor and openness of its neighbors - the Emirates and Bahrain.
Religious rigidity dictates everything in Qatar;
And you can't buy alcohol in stores or supermarkets but only in hotel bars, and at an exorbitant price.
The organizers did commit to opening fan complexes near the stadiums, but this will allow the fans only a partial and very controlled experience, and the locals - full control of what is happening at home.
As far as the Israeli football tourists are concerned, this is actually not bad news.
Qatar has no diplomatic relations with Israel (but only close security relations that are conducted under the radar), and as it is controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, it openly supports Hamas in Gaza.
Also its proximity to Iran - geographically and practically, a result of different interests, from shared gas fields to the shared fear of Saudi Arabia - apparently makes it a less safe and pleasant destination for us Israelis.
Will the Qataris really be able to silence the criticism a little?, Photo: AP
But in this case there is no reason to worry.
No country - certainly not Iran, which is also subject to international sanctions and faces criticism regarding its assistance to Russia in the war in Ukraine - will risk an attack or other action that would overshadow the games.
If there is a danger, it apparently comes from the extremist terrorist organizations.
Qatar, which is aware of this, has taken care in recent years to get closer to most of them, and has even become the world's leading broker for the release of hostages who were kidnapped in various places by terrorist organizations (mainly in the Middle East and Africa, including several cases in which it financed the ransom payment to the kidnappers, who mostly belonged to the extremist Islamic organizations ).
The Qataris will not allow any case of local violence.
They don't bat an eye: anyone caught in an act of violence is immediately taken into custody and brought before a judge the very next day.
The punishments can range from a large fine accompanied by imprisonment to immediate deportation.
Even traffic violations are judged quickly, and are accompanied by a fine of thousands of dollars for a minimal speed violation.
It is recommended, therefore, for those who come to Qatar not to rent a car, but to use the excellent (and free) public transportation established for the benefit of the games at a cost of billions of dollars.
Tourism in Qatar.
Will the fans really feel safe?, Photo: AFP
Israeli technology under the radar
Several Israeli companies are also involved in operations to strengthen security.
The Ministry of Defense prohibits the sale of offensive technologies to Qatar, but allows the sale of defensive technologies, which are used by some of the local security organizations and the organizers of the games.
FIFA also uses Israeli technologies (mainly in the field of computers), and Israelis have also engaged in efforts to help Qatar in the worlds of international image against the background of the harsh criticism that is leveled at them.
All of this was done, naturally, under the radar.
Particularly curious eyes will be able to notice during the Israeli games that will be in the country not for football purposes, but for the benefit of business - in the hope that the World Cup will open the door to business on a wider scale between the countries.
It is doubtful if this will happen: Qatar (which in the past maintained open diplomatic relations with Israel) will continue to sit on the fence, but will keep its word to allow tourists from all over the world - including Israelis - an enjoyable and safe experience, but also different, from anything they have known in the past.
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