Now on its 4th year this 2023, Best Life Qatar Readers’ Choice aims to: give recognition to Filipino entrepreneurs in Qatar promote Filipino restaurants and businesses not only to the Filipino community but also to the international market. encourage entrepreneurs to rise up (from home business to registered business operation) share knowledge on social media management for business. Since 2020, Best Life Qatar has been conducting online surveys within the community. This is not packaged as an online competition but as a gauge on popularity of Filipino restaurants and companies in Qatar. This should help business owners evaluate their brand’s market awareness, their product and service quality, as well as their social media marketing strategies. As an independent initiative of Best Life Qatar, the first three years was conducted purely online: from the survey to the announcement and awarding of winners. It was always conducted in the beginning of the year which also coincides with the birthday of its founder and blogger, Mr. Zeke Tunay. As the years go by, the number of respondents had been steadily increasing from less than 500 votes on its initial launch to almost 2,500 in the latest survey this year 2023. But the organizers are hopeful to further increase the numbers and get as much involvement from the community to be able to reflect the real voice of its readers. “We are happy to know that all brands welcome the idea and the promotion that Readers’ Choice program is giving them. They were all appreciative of the attention given to them in recognition of their efforts, and for helping them reach more potential clients through social media.” – Mr. Zeke Tunay, founder and blogger of Best Life Qatar While the categories are changing every year depending on the nominations received from the blog readers, community readers, and partner social media influencers, we saw a big line-up of contenders this year. The winners are as follows: Most Popular Newcomer – Food Category: KA JOHNNY’S LOMI HOUSE QATAR (Special Citations: Gretsky’s Qatar, and Maya’s Kitchen Qatar) Most Popular Newcomer – Non Food Category: 3 JOHNS PNOY HAIRCUT Most Popular Filipino Beauty Salon: PURPLELINE HAIR AND BEAUTY LADIES SALON DOHA Most Popular Filipino Coffeeshop & Bakeshop: KABAYAN BREWERS (Special Citation: The Empanada House Doha) Most Popular Filipino Training Center: PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE QATAR Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Company (Products Category): KABAYAN MEAT SHOP QATAR (Special Citation: Kabayan Beauty Corner Trading WLL) Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Company (Services Category): CONOR INT’L EXPRESS CARGO & SERVICES - QATAR Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Restaurant (Diner Category): FILIPINO HOT PACK Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Restaurant (Restaurant Category): SARI SARI ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT (Special Citation: Loming Barako Qatar – LOMBAR) Most Popular Filipino Company – International Franchise/Operation: MAX’S RESTAURANT MIDDLE EAST Through the help of its benevolent supporters, the first face to face results night was held at Crown Plaza Doha The Business Park on 21st January, 2023 and was attended by selected guests and media. Hoping that the succeeding years will become even bigger, BEST LIFE QATAR also hopes to put in place more security measures on the votes, an enhanced nomination procedure that will require certain level of standard and qualifications, and an overall program that will serve the purpose of giving encouragement and support to Filipino entrepreneurs thru trainings and promotional events like mini-bazaars or trade fairs. Best Life Qatar is one of the most active Filipino bloggers in Qatar, known as #QatarDaddyBlogger with its Family Adventure Blog (www.bestlifeqatar.com) that features their passion for travel, the activities they do as a family, the food places they love, thoughts on their minds, and more. Their followers are fondly called BLQadas or BLQ (barkada) “close friends” and the aim is to #liveyourbestlife. Now on its 7th year this February 2023, Best Life Qatar continues to be one of the most trusted social media content creators for local and international brands, an advocate for Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar, who will never forget the very reason why the blog came out in the first place – that is #blog2help (inform, inspire, entertain).

Five social media stars attend all 64 matches of Qatar 2022 as a part of SC initiative Ossy Marwah, Ben Black, Mercedes Roa, Gabi Martins and Ruben Slot had never crossed paths with each other before Qatar 2022. However, by the end of the tournament, the five social media stars created a bond that would last a lifetime. The quintet took part in Every Beautiful Game – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in the stands for all 64 matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the experience enabled the group of five to take advantage of the tournament’s compact nature and attend every single match in the tournament. This included, at some point, attending 4 matches per day, for 11 days straight. Ben Black, with more than 5m Tik Tok followers said: “One day, it was like this is the easiest challenge ever, and then the next day you're just falling asleep in the van, and you know you still have two games to go, and you're falling asleep, but now that it’s over, I can proudly say - we did it!” “We literally never even knew of each other before the challenge and then we spent every single day with each other. We kept making jokes - oh by the end of this, we're going to hate each other, but I just love them all, each and every single one of them.” For Gabi Martins, who flew to Qatar from Brazil to take part in the challenge, the experience presented her with an important opportunity to showcase the region’s culture to her followers in South America. “I remember coming out of Al Thumama Stadium one day, when we were greeted by locals offering us fruits, dates and Arabic coffee. I shared that video on Tik Tok, and I received so many comments from around the world thanking me for sharing this part of Arab culture.” The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ was held over 29 days at 8 state-of-the-art stadiums, with the farthest distance between two stadiums no more than 75kms. The compact nature of Qatar 2022 allowed fans and players alike to remain in one place of accommodation throughout the tournament, creating a true carnival experience. “This has been the best month of my life. Being able to go to all the stadiums. Nobody will do this again and nobody has done it before. Being able to go to 64 matches - it was really exhausting,” said Ruben Slot from the Netherlands. YouTuber Ossy, who has more than 5.7m subscribers, said: “It was unbelievable. The football was unbelievable. We made history. The group is unbelievable. Everyone's so amazing in their own ways and everyone worked together so well.” Mercedes, who has 7.8m TikTok followers, spoke of the unifying nature of the beautiful game: “Thank you for everyone supporting us. I think what made everything so special were the people that were around us and I don't know where you were following from, but it doesn't matter, we're all one.” Follow @roadto2022news on Twitter and Instagram for news about the tournament’s legacy in Qatar, the region and the world.

Setting global standards of excellence in transportation for international mega events. Accomplishment described by the international media as ‘the most complex transport operations that has ever been staged for an international sports event’. Transporting more than 7,550,760 passengers during the tournament. Reduced the carbon footprint equivalent of the CO2 absorption of 18,078 trees. Doha, Qatar; 20th December 2022: With the conclusion of Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) has set new standards for event transportation worldwide: The company has shown that mega-operations can be achieved with sustainable solutions. For Qatar 2022, Mowasalat (Karwa) deployed 4000 buses and a workforce of more than 18,000 staff from 90 nations, including thousands of specially trained drivers for the tournament. The bus services safely shuttled more than 7,550,760 passengers through all services, including the public bus and Metrolink network, which operated for extended hours during the tournament on more than 200 routes. Mowasalat (Karwa) provided diverse tournament bus services, including accommodation connector services, which transported passengers to stadiums from the main accommodations’ hubs and cruise ships, beside Central Doha services, which were dedicated to transport passengers to fan zones and events around the Corniche, Central Doha, and the B-Ring and C-Ring Roads. The airports connector services took care of travelers from Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport. Mowasalat (Karwa) also provided taxis, limousines, and accessible vehicles services around the clock at the airports. At the conclusion of this mammoth project, the company recorded an incredible 2,910,425 of kilometers driven and 234,447 of operational staff working hours ONLY for the tournament related bus services. One of the most spectacular offerings, and as a FIRST in the history of the tournament, fans had the opportunity to watch more than a match in one day through the dedicated Stadium-to-Stadium shuttles – which was truly appreciated by 54,709 of users. As a special service to Qatar’s neighbouring countries, about 600 buses were dedicated to transport a total of 414,970 fans arriving at Abu Samra borders to attend matches and enjoy the tournament. Another FIRST was the deployment of almost 900 E-buses, which reduced the carbon footprint of the event in an equivalent of the CO2 absorption of 18,078 of trees. This is not only part of the company’s declared sustainability goals, but -on a larger scale- also Mowasalat’s goal to contribute to the ecological target of the Qatar National Vision 2030. In this regard, the tournament acted as a catalyst to build expertise in environmentally friendly transport solutions, which will be one foundation pillar of a soon 100% green public shared transport network. In line with the country’s agenda of ‘Qatar for All’, the company also made good on its promise to provide easy and reliable access to transportation for people in wheelchairs. Mowasalat dedicated a fleet of 70 special vehicles that operated around the clock to make sure that everyone could enjoy the spectacle to the fullest. In addition, more than 938 buses from our fleet were wheelchair accessible. For guests with individual transport requirements, Karwa ramped up its Taxi and Limousines Services to cater to the enormous influx of international guests. 3000 vehicles ran for a total of 571,699 trips and brought almost 1 million passengers to their individual destinations in and around Doha. Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, the CEO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: “I am more than pleased to see that years of detailed planning, training, and testing have paid off to provide an exceptional experience and bring seamless, safe and eco-friendly transportation to the community of fans, residents, and guests from all over the world. Qatar 2022 has shown what we are capable of and greatly elevated the country’s profile in the world. Our team has gone to great lengths to employ the latest technology, equipment, and vehicles to achieve our high sustainability goals. Most of all, the realization of this project could not have happened without the commitment and dedication of thousands of volunteers and staff that put and keep all gears in motion. We are proud to have added considerable value to the event, and to again have underlined the company’s leading role in transportation in the region.” On his part, Mr. Ahmad Hassan Al Obaidly, the COO of Mowasalat (Karwa), said: "We are proud of our contribution to the successful delivery of transport services, which have been one of the cornerstones in the success of this exceptional edition of the tournament. We are pleased to see the rewards of thorough planning and analysis of fleet capabilities through test runs and the provision of transport services to a number of international tournaments, that were considered mini editions of the World Cup. All of this has helped to develop world-class transport operations.” For Mowasalat (Karwa), the gain from Qatar2022 is a legacy of expertise and readiness to provide transportation services for any future events hosted by Qatar, while making use of the country’s brand-new infrastructure. The tournament has also served as a catalyst for the electrification of the public transport fleet, and the broad acceptance of shared transport. Mowasalat (Karwa) has proven to be a determining pillar on the way to a connected, greener Qatar.

Legendary footballer shares his passion for football, keen interest in film and his take on work ethics at special screening of ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’ presented by the Doha Film Institute The exclusive event was held for the Ajyal jurors and included a panel discussion moderated by youth advocate Moza Al Hajiri with Beckham and filmmakers A.J.Al-Thani and Mo’men Ghanim Doha, Qatar; December 21, 2022: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) organised a special screening of the factual entertainment series Save our Squad starring global sporting icon David Beckham for the jurors of the Ajyal Film Festival, in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of DFI and other distinguished guests. Co-produced by Studio 99 and Twenty Twenty for Disney+, the inspirational series follows Beckham as he returns to his roots in East London to mentor a struggling under 14’s football team playing in the same league that Beckham himself played in as a boy. The screening was followed by a panel discussion that brought out the side of the legendary footballer that showed a man defined by his roots and committed to giving back to the community and to the game that he is so passionate about. Doha Film Institute CEO, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, commented, “It was an honour to collaborate with David Beckham and Studio 99 on this very special and inspiring screening for our Ajyal family. The Institute encourages diverse perspectives and believes in the transformative power of storytelling and of young voices. We are grateful to partner with likeminded individuals and organisations who share our vision of providing opportunities for the active and meaningful participation of youth in their communities. Together, we will reinforce important connections that empower young people to transcend challenges to build a brighter future.” Addressing the young audience in Doha, Beckham said ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’, a show that brought him back to where his football career started – East London – was a “personal project for him.” “It enabled me to work with people where I grew up and give back to the game that has given me so much. It was important for me to go back to East London and when I heard about the Westward Boys (an under 14 grassroots side from East London), I immediately wanted to be a part of it. It wasn’t easy for the boys, but I got to know them the way I never would and that was very special for me.” The documentary, streaming on Disney+, portrays Beckham’s experience mentoring the Westward Boys. From heroics to heartbreak and failure to redemption, the experiences that Westward Boys, their coaches and their families go through over the course of the season strikes an emotional chord, as Beckham intended. “I hope people are inspired by what they see and all the people I spoke to who watched the series laughed and cried and were inspired by it.” Beckham said the take-away message is that “it is not about being the best footballer but about being humble and hardworking,” he said. Putting work ethic over talent, Beckham said that “talent only takes you so far, but hard work takes you further and working as a team takes you even further.” ‘Save Our Squad with David Beckham’ is co-produced by Beckham’s production company Studio 99, and the beginning of several exciting upcoming projects. “I am proud to say that we are filming some scenes here in Doha for a project about the history of Adidas and Puma. It is a very interesting story, which has never been told in the way that we are doing so now. We have shot in different locations around the world for it and it’s great to be able to shoot some scenes here, whilst Qatar hosts the world’s biggest tournament. We are working with great people and continue to be inspired by talented young people who are passionate about what they do.” He said he was always passionate about films and Studio 99 was co-founded with people who have been his long-time friends, saying: “I am excited about the stories we can create together through the Studio.” Beckham said his favourite part of making the series was “working with the boys and meeting their families. They literally opened their homes for me, and we spoke not just about their football aspirations but about their lives – their schooling, feelings in life and what they want to achieve.” Addressing the panel with David Beckham, Qatari filmmaker A.J Al-Thani said one of her biggest inspirations was football and David Beckham. “I chose a career of dreams and as a filmmaker I am in the industry of pursing and chasing my dreams. My playing field was the desert, and my biggest inspiration is to showcase our culture and the beauty of our country and nature in our stories. Hosting the World Cup in Qatar is a great legacy for the region, anchoring a newfound respect for Arab people and their aspirations, values and traditions.” Qatar-based Palestinian filmmaker Mo’men said films play a vital role in promoting cultural exchange. “We live in a time of fake news, and we should focus on authenticity and develop films based on research. The more we go in depth and the more we learn, the better the films become.” He said hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha has further enabled people to connect across geographic boundaries over the love for football. David Beckham goes to his roots in Disney-branded series Save Our Squad. Co-produced by BAFTA and RTS Award-winning production company Twenty Twenty, and Studio 99, the global content and production studio co-founded by Beckham, Save Our Squad is a heart-warming series that sees Beckham return to the East London football pitches where he played as a child. Here he will mentor a young grassroots side who are struggling to survive in the league. Beckham and his team take these players, their coach, and their community on an uplifting journey of a lifetime. Save our Squad is executive produced by Sean Doyle for Disney.

GWC outline extensive logistics mandate during Qatar 2022™ as the country looks forward to hosting more major international mega-events in the future. 20 December 2022: The resounding success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ lays a platform for the country to host major international events long into the future. The tournament will also significantly boost the development of business sectors across the country – including logistics. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Fahad Bin Jassem Bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, GWC, said: “we have spent years preparing for this mega-event and stood ready to support Qatar, the local organizing committee and FIFA to deliver a memorable edition of international football’s showpiece event. We are also determined to leverage this tournament to deliver a robust economic legacy that benefits businesses large and small for generations to come – in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.” A colossal undertaking Delivering the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world involved a gigantic logistical mandate, which was handled in Qatar by GWC; the Official Logistics Provider for the tournament. The numbers involved are staggering: GWC handled more than 15 million cans of beverage, 1.8 million pieces of equipment, 117,900 pieces of furniture, 20,400 traffic and safety assets, 34,700 office supplies and 20,000 spectator and traffic barriers. This was in addition to all the tournament equipment, including kits, uniforms and footballs. Transporting fresh food and beverages to a host of tournament sites was another key deliverable. For the media, GWC handled more than 30,000 pieces of equipment, including cameras, tripods and lighting, with everything delivered to and from eight stadiums, 36 team base camp hotels, two airports, two seaports, media hubs, fan zones and other sites. Serving the logistics requirements of an event as large as the FIFA World Cup™ needs a forward-thinking strategy in order to deliver a seamless operation. GWC implemented a control tower approach for Qatar 2022™ which delivered according to a master delivery schedule (MDS). This acted as the central point for all logistical activities; from the time an order needs to be picked up, where it has to be delivered, the time it is due and its current status. Vision coming to fruition From a logistics standpoint; people, processes and technology are the key ingredients, according to GWC’s Group CEO, Ranjeev Menon. “When you are delivering the logistics mandate of the FIFA World Cup™ detailed planning is imperative,” said Menon. “What we saw during Qatar 2022™ was the result of years of preparation. It was our plans – and those of our stakeholders in Qatar and globally – coming to fruition.” “In order to optimise the value chain and unlock maximum potential, it is essential for companies to get the right balance between people, processes and technology. At GWC, we believe the success of Qatar 2022™ was people-driven, technology-fuelled and goal-orientated,” Menon added. Qatar’s growing MSMEs sector Hosting the FIFA World Cup™ has cemented Qatar’s status as a global hub for major international events – laying a platform for significant economic development, in particular helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) flourish in the country and across the region. In early 2022, GWC opened Al Wukair Logistics Park, its largest logistics park to date. Covering an area of 1,500,000m² that caters specifically for MSMEs. The site provides all their commercial needs, as well as affording an opportunity to network with like-minded businesses. GWC is an enabler and catalyst for MSMEs – helping them to establish and grow their businesses and leverage Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup. Menon said: “MSMEs have benefitted massively from the World Cup in a vast range of sectors, including logistics. The challenge now is for MSMEs to leverage the tournament’s legacy and grow their businesses, supported by the platform which Qatar built.” Menon praised Qatar’s leadership for fostering a conducive business environment and helping the logistics industry to flourish – boosted significantly by hosting the biggest sporting event on the planet. “We have received massive support from all sectors from day one of our journey. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the vision, commitment and passion of Qatar’s wise leadership,” said Menon. “One area of particular support would be Qatar’s management of the public-private-partnership, something GWC is proud to be taking part in. Through this partnership, we are committed to developing Qatari abilities and reinforcing the logistics sector’s role and contribution to economic development, while offering direction to government projects for new approaches and modern vision in managing national projects efficiently and sustainably.” Integrated systems and dedicated staff Delivering Qatar 2022™ involved an extensive range of services, including asset management and tracking, asset recovery and dissolution, pre-receipt processes, warehousing, pick, pack and dispatch, logistics fleet management, materials distribution, vehicle delivery permit distribution, freight forwarding, customs clearance, reverse logistics and last mile delivery. A prime example of such operation was the distribution of +200,000 match tickets both locally and internationally. The operation included collection of tickets, parking passes and other ticketing accessories, sorting, segregating, inventory creation, all the way to international and local delivery. The compact nature of the tournament proved a huge advantage. Qatar delivered the most compact edition of the FIFA World Cup™ in modern history, with every stadium located within an hour’s journey time from central Doha. Menon said: “From the very beginning, Qatar highlighted the opportunity to host a compact World Cup for the benefit of fans, players and officials. While it has been amazing for fans to attend more than one match a day, Qatar’s geographical footprint has also proved to be hugely beneficial in terms of logistics, making it simple for people and products to be in the right locations at the right time.” GWC’s state-of-the-art dedicated logistics network A dedicated 50,000m² warehouse footprint, plus more than 150 dedicated vehicles – all within 45 minutes of any stadium and more than 400 key sites – were the foundations for success. More than 200 truck drivers covered 1,900,000km of distribution journeys over 288,000 hours, backed by 1,200 venue operations staff and six bespoke logistics systems. All were dedicated to delivering on-time and in-full for a host of stakeholders, including FIFA, participating teams, commercial affiliates, broadcasters, media, fans, staff, suppliers and vendors. “The key to everything is long-term planning, dedicated training for thousands of staffs and a range of relevant test events. We benefitted significantly from staging tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup, on two occasions, and the FIFA Arab Cup, along with local events such as the Amir Cup,” said Menon. “Going forward, we will focus on the further integration of artificial intelligence and automation, to make it simpler and quicker to deliver our objectives. We have also seen a major focus on sustainability and delivering environmentally-friendly solutions during the FIFA World Cup™ and we will continue to support these trends to continue in the future,” added Menon. He continued: “The final lesson learnt is that hosting mega-events in a compact setting is not only preferable for fans and players – it is also hugely beneficial for organisers and the people and businesses involved in logistics planning and delivery.” The importance of reverse logistics While the players head back to their clubs and competing week to week in leagues around the world, GWC will focus on reverse logistics, which means returning every item to its next destination. Menon said: “Just about everything that arrived in Qatar needs to be returned home safely. Reverse logistics is a major part of our operation, and our work will continue long after the trophy has been lifted. We will work closely with our stakeholders to carefully demobilize every item and ship it securely back to its next destination.” A bright future Menon is looking forward to a positive future for Qatar, GWC and the logistics sector. He said: “What has been clear from day one is that hosting the FIFA World Cup™ is part of a long-term plan for Qatar. It is accelerating the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and helping a number of industries to grow and develop, including the vital logistics sector. “Our goals now are to continue supporting the country in its mission to host major international events, building on the incredible legacy of hosting the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world, and expanding our footprint into countries across the region. We are very confident a bright future lies ahead for both Qatar and GWC.”

Doha, Qatar (20 December 2022) – Msheireb Downtown Doha sets the record for receiving more than 4 million fans from Qatar and around the world during the World Cup, making the city a global destination. The city offered various immersive and comprehensive experiences such as museum exhibitions, performances and celebrations that engaged the visitors to keep up with the excitement. The various events organized with several partners brought families and guests from all cultural backgrounds together in a city where one can discover Qatari heritage and traditions. Maryam Al Jassem, Manager of PR and Communication, at Msheireb Properties stated: “We are pleased to have hosted many visitors from all over the world to show our world-class facilities while appreciating Qatari culture and heritage. Msheireb continues to contribute to Qatar’s sustainability goals to create a better future for us all. We are excited for the rest of the world to discover their world in a downtown in the future.” Millions of fans enjoyed activations that were held in every corner of the city. The city district offered several cultural, art, entrainment and sport activations that added great value to the football experience. The Host Country Media Center provided broadcast and media facilities for 2,500 journalists coming from around the world including broadcasting stations, live games viewing stations, conference rooms, and service centers. Moreover, live performances by renowned artists from all over the world celebrated the joyous occasion at Sikkat Al Wadi, Msheireb Galleria and Barahat Msheireb which had a dedicated private area for watching the matches and hosted a live performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Located at the heart of Doha, Msheireb Downtown Doha is the ideal place to explore the nation’s history and culture. With the latest innovation that are implemented throughout the city, making the visit more pleasurable and sustainable. Moreover, thousands of visitors enjoyed the sustainable way of transportation inside the city district by the eco-friendly tram, or on foot in line with highest safety and security measures. The district prides itself on promoting sustainability that contribute to Qatar’s national vision, as one of the most smart and sustainable cities in the world.

“Feel More in Qatar” campaign highlights wide range of positive emotions experienced by families, couples, and friends in Qatar. Campaign will launch in over seventeen markets across the world, from Asia, to Europe and North America. The 360-campaign will be featured on TV, social media, digital channels, press materials, out-of-homes and website. Qatar Tourism has launched its new “Feel More in Qatar” campaign, which aims to highlight the country’s position as a premium destination, and as the Middle East’s top choice for the well-travelled tourist. Whether it’s a family looking to reconnect, or a couple longing for a vacation, “Feel More in Qatar” seeks to bring to life the country’s rich emotional tapestry. Be it the famously warm traditional Qatari hospitality, the serenity of the country’s natural wonders, or the awe-inspiring architecture, the campaign showcases that a visit to Qatar genuinely stirs the senses for every member of a family, regardless of age. Overall, the campaign demonstrates that Qatar offers families, couples and friends, not just a collection of things to do, but a superior emotional experience. Families can ‘feel more together’, couples can ‘feel more connected’ and friends can ‘feel more fun’. The year-round sunshine, adventurous activities, romantic experiences, cultural offerings, and much more, makes Qatar the perfect destination for families, couples and friends. The “Feel More in Qatar” campaign forms part of the country’s long-term strategy to welcome six million visitors by 2030. Commenting on the new campaign, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With its rich and fascinating heritage, natural beauty, and range of experiences to choose from, a visit to Qatar inspires positive emotional responses for all. Be it a couple on a short romantic getaway, or a family looking to spend quality time together, the country caters to all wants, needs and preferences, offering an array of truly authentic experiences that are genuinely unforgettable.” The global campaign will operate in over 17 markets across the world, including Australia, the UK and Turkey. Taking a 360-approach, the campaign will be featured on TV, social media channels, digital channels, press channels, out-of-homes and have a dedicated website.

Qatar celebrates successful delivery of the most compact, accessible and family-friendly FIFA World Cup™ in history The first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world reached a magnificent conclusion on Sunday 18 December with Argentina lifting the trophy for the third time after a dramatic final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. In front of a capacity crowd of 88,966, Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a mesmerising match ended 3-3 after extra-time. Lionel Messi scored the opening goal in the first half with a penalty before Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage soon after following a sweeping counter-attack. Late in the game, Kylian Mbappe hauled France level with two goals — the first a penalty — to force extra-time and give Les Bleus momentum. Messi looked to have won the match when he forced the ball home after 108 minutes but Mpabbe completed his hat-trick with a second penalty soon after to force a shoot-out. Argentina were in control of the shoot-out throughout and completed victory with Gonzalo Montiel’s winning spot-kick. It was the first time a final ended 3-3 and contained the second World Cup final hat-trick in history. The tournament set a record for the number of goals with 172. Ahead of Sunday’s final, a stunning closing ceremony was held featuring a raft of stars, including Dana, Davido, Aisha, Manal, Balqees, Rahma, RedOne, Ozuma, Gims and Nora. A host of songs from the tournament’s Official Soundtrack were performed while 32 flying orbs paid tribute to each participating nation. The final was the 64th match of the tournament, which got underway at Al Bayt Stadium on 20 November. More than 3.4 million tickets were sold for the matches, which were held at eight state-of-the-art stadiums, all located within an hour’s journey time of central Doha. Qatar hosted the most compact edition of the FIFA World Cup in modern history, with fans revelling in the opportunity to attend more than one match a day during the early stages of the tournament. During the 29 days, Qatar welcomed more than 1.4 million fans to the country. While fans enjoyed exciting football on the pitch, Qatar hosted a vast number of entertainment activations across the country, including the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Al Bidda Park, which welcomed more than 1.8 million visitors, and the Corniche Activation. The tourist attractions all provided an opportunity for fans to celebrate their shared love of football in what proved a beautiful exchange of cultures from across the globe. H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), and Chairman, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22), said: “Qatar is incredibly proud to have hosted a landmark and unforgettable edition of the FIFA World Cup. This tournament has inspired billions of people across the Middle East, Arab world and globally. Through football, we have bridged the gap between East and West and showcased the very best of our people and culture. The social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits of hosting this magnificent tournament will be felt for decades to come.” Eng. Yasir Al Jamal, Director General, SC, said: “It has been an incredible journey – not just the last 29 days – but the entire 12 years leading up to the tournament. Back in 2010, we told the world to ‘Expect Amazing’ and we have delivered in spectacular fashion. Thanks to outstanding planning and collaboration with our trusted countrywide and international stakeholders, we have delivered an exciting fan experience, smooth transport operations and the most accessible FIFA World Cup in history. I pay tribute to all our dedicated staff and trusted partners for always going the extra mile and delivering a truly unique edition of the FIFA World Cup.” Nasser Al Khater, CEO, Q22, said: “When fans across the globe look back on Qatar 2022, they will remember exciting action on the pitch, fantastic stadiums and a memorable fan experience. We delivered our mission to host a joyous celebration of the most popular sport on the planet – one where fans united through their shared passion for football. We are proud to have hosted the most compact, innovative and family-friendly FIFA World Cup ever – one that will deliver a sustainable legacy for communities in Qatar, across the region and globally. This tournament has set a benchmark for future mega events – and everyone who played a key role over the past 12 years should be very proud of their contribution.”

Reimagined experience of football, music and entertainment a resounding success in 2022 Fans share their experiences on the greatest football party in the world Al Bidda Park venue was connected to seven cities across the globe through satellite events As the climax of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ approaches, the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Al Bidda Park in Doha, Qatar has seen more than 1.8 million fans enjoy the live broadcast of games and the vibrant entertainment on offer at the venue. Opening on Saturday, 19 November 2022, the FIFA Fan Festival has been the hub for both international and local fans during the tournament, showing every FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 game on an iconic 1,800 square meter screen and providing free entertainment with some of the most famous names from music scenes around the world, including Diplo, Maluma, Kizz Daniel, Nora Fatehi, Trinidad Cardona and Calvin Harris. “After years of dedicated work, it has been a joy seeing fellow football enthusiasts from all over the world come together at the FIFA Fan Festival to celebrate football,” said Mead Al Emadi, Director of the FIFA Fan Festival, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC). “Bridging the gap between East and West is an important part of the legacy of staging the first World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world, and the FIFA Fan Festival has played a big part in this journey. I want to thank my incredible teams for their hard work over the past years for coming together to deliver this amazing project. Our success would not have been possible without all of their tireless efforts.” Gerdine Lindhout, FIFA Head of Experiential Marketing & Promotion, added: “The FIFA Fan Festival has proven to be the soul of the tournament, bringing together millions of fans from every corner of the globe to share and express their passion for the beautiful game. It has been the perfect party to complement the greatest show on Earth: the FIFA World Cup!” The 145,000 square meter and 40,000 capacity venue has welcomed an average of 70,000 visitors per day, with 146 music artists having performed 162 hours of live music, and more than 700,000 beverages sold throughout the tournament. Fans from every nation have experienced all that the venue has to offer. “This is my fifth time visiting the FIFA Fan Festival and I love it!” shared France supporter Salim Ghana, 27. “I try to come whenever I can to watch the games, enjoy the great music and for the food as well. I really love meeting fans from all over the world and this has been a great place to do that. It is really a unique experience, and this is the best World Cup ever!” Fellow France supporter Irina, 30, spoke of her excitement in sharing the experience with new friends, saying: “I really like celebrating with other fans, hugging them, and cheering all together – and the FIFA Fan Festival is the perfect place for it! You meet people from all over, watch the matches and dance together. It is brilliant!” Argentina fans Federico, 33, and Luciana, 29, have been in Doha since the beginning of the tournament, going to all La Albiceleste matches and have visited the FIFA Fan Festival multiple times during their stay, not only for the football. “It has been so nice to meet fans from Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Mexico, and watch the games. The atmosphere has been amazing, and it’s been special to see everyone enjoying it together!” Rio, 35, who is attending with his wife, father and two-month-old baby, emphasised the family-friendly nature of the venue, saying: “The organisation is really good and it’s a good place for families!”

Football legends look forward to showpiece final at Lusail Stadium Tonight, at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, either Argentina or France will lift the FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy for the third time. It is a tantalising match-up and will provide a fitting finale to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. France is aiming to become the first team to defend the title since Brazil in 1962, while Argentina is aiming to end a 36-year wait to reclaim the famous prize and become the first South American team to win the FIFA World Cup since Brazil in 2002. With the big kick-off only hours away, we caught up with a host of FIFA World Cup Ambassadors to get their thoughts on the match-up. Legendary defender Marcel Desailly, who helped France win their maiden title in 1998, expects Les Bleus to win 2-1 after extra-time. “France will win the World Cup, as they are in a positive dynamic right now,” he said. “Even though they lost five first-choice players before the tournament, they have still reached the final. They are on the verge of an historic moment for French football – and in the modern game – as it is not easy to repeat what they achieved in Russia in 2018.” Qatar 2022 presents Lionel Messi with his final opportunity to claim the coveted trophy. Messi is the neutral’s choice to win – and Germany legend Lothar Matthäus, a World Cup champion in 1990, is expecting a famous victory for one of the greatest players in the history of the game. “I thought before the World Cup started that Argentina will win the trophy, so why change my mind now,” said Matthäus. “To me, Argentina is the favourite, even though there is not a big difference between both teams. They both have players that can make a difference, especially Messi for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe for France, but I feel Argentina has a little bit more spirit than France, so I expect them to win the title.” Australia legend Tim Cahill sees the final as a contrast between the emotion and spirit of Argentina and the technical proficiency of Didier Deschamps’s French side. “A lot will come down to France’s play down the wings and their crossing, being quick and more dynamic, whereas Argentina will be more compact and resilient, and like against Croatia, they will try and hit France on the transition,” he said. “For me personally, I think France will win 2-1 from a technical standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint, Argentina will win on penalties.” The difficulty of predicting Sunday’s final should not come as a surprise. Even Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure sees the challenge of separating these two final combatants. “When you see both teams, they are very similar, so it’s difficult to predict how this final will unfold,” he said. “Both teams are good defensively and have different ways of attacking. I think this game may go to penalties, with France winning the shoot-out.” FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Predictions: Ali Al Habsi: Argentina 2-1 France Cafu: Argentina 2-1 France Fahad Al Kubaisi: Argentina 2-1 France Ghanim Al Muftah: Argentina 2-1 France Lothar Matthäus: Argentina 2-1 France Luis Hernandez: Argentina 2-0 France Marcel Desailly: Argentina 1-2 France (after extra-time) Mehdi Mahdavikia: Argentina win on penalties Mohammed Sadoon Al Kuwari: Argentina 2-1 France Nadia Nadim: Argentina 1-2 France Sara Essam: Argentina win on penalties Tim Cahill: Argentina 1-2 France Wesam Qutob: Argentina 2-1 France Yaya Toure: France win on penalties Younis Mahmoud: Argentina 1-3 France

Former England captain hails fan experience and quality on the pitch David Beckham has hailed the quality of the fan experience at Qatar 2022 and praised the tournament for uniting fans from across the globe. The former England captain, who appeared in three FIFA World Cups for the Three Lions, discussed the highlights of the tournament – in particular the compact nature, fan experience and quality of play. “Seeing the fans come together and the level of football – it’s been amazing. It’s been a privilege to see the excitement and the fun the fans are having,” said Beckham, who twice reached the World Cup quarter-finals with England. Qatar has hosted the most compact edition of the FIFA World Cup™ in modern history – with all eight stadiums within an hour’s journey time of central Doha. It has meant fans enjoying the opportunity to attend more than one match a day. Beckham said the timing of the tournament – in the middle of the season for many leagues around the world – had boosted the level of play on the field. “The level of football has been incredible. I was always a supporter of playing the World Cup in the middle of the season because I knew the players would be fresh and the fitness and energy levels would be higher.” Beckham said Argentina’s victory over the Netherlands was his favourite game of Qatar 2022 and picked out two goals as his favourites of the tournament: Richarlison’s scissor-kick for Brazil against Serbia and Luis Chavez’s free-kick for Mexico against Saudi Arabia. He went on to discuss his stars of the tournament. “I have loved Morocco’s midfield – their elegance and the way they play the game. Jude Bellingham had a great tournament for England, and Bukayo Saka,” said Beckham. He added: “Kylian Mbappé has had a great tournament – whenever he gets the ball at his feet, you can feel the energy in the stadium lift. And Lionel Messi – what can you say? He’s a special individual on and off the field. It feels different watching him play in this World Cup. He’s got great team-mates around him, but he has been the leader – and you can feel it in every single game. It’s special to see.” As for England’s performance, Beckham said head coach Gareth Southgate and his players should be proud of their display against France, which ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat at Al Bayt Stadium. “We have real quality, and the England players will take this experience to the next tournament. The fans are right behind us, the future’s looking bright. We have a lot of young players who will learn from this and take it on to the Euros and the next World Cup.”

Tournament organisers work with key stakeholders to promote plastic reduction strategies Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Coca-Cola Middle East have announced the introduction of 100% recycled bottles for Coca-Cola’s range of beverages across official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ venues, including stadiums and fan zones. Aligning with the SC’s key initiatives on responsible plastic recycling, Coca-Cola’s pilot of 100% rPET bottles marks the first time the packaging will be in circulation at a FIFA World Cup™ tournament and serves as Coca-Cola’s debut in locally producing 100% rPET bottles in the region. As part of this pilot initiative, 350ml Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta bottles, plus 500ml Arwa water bottles, are available in 100% rPET packaging. Eng. Bodour Al Meer, the SC’s Sustainability Executive Director, said: “In addition to our One Tide programme, the pilot of Coca-Cola Middle East’s 100% rPET bottles will significantly reduce the impact of single-use plastics and aligns to our concerted efforts to leave a sustainable legacy long after the FIFA World Cup 2022.” Tolga Cebe, Vice President & General Manager Middle East, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “Piloting the 100% rPET bottles for our Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta beverages, and Arwa water, during the tournament marks a major milestone for our operations in the region. It is an important step towards our global World Without Waste ambition to collect and recycle a bottle or can for everyone sold by 2030. For Coca-Cola Middle East, this is part of a journey, and we aim to continue to champion waste collection projects and minimise our impact through local partnerships and initiatives.” In addition to the 100% rPET bottles, Coca-Cola Middle East has placed dedicated recycling bins across Qatar 2022 venues and is educating volunteers and fans on responsible recycling through its on-ground and on-screen communication, ensuring recyclable plastic waste is placed in the right bins for further repurposing. The SC is also proud to announce that plastic bottles segregated and collected during the tournament will be recycled and converted into rPET bottles in-country, effectively closing the loop and leaving behind a green legacy – one of the SC’s key objectives. This was greatly supported by Coca-Cola Middle East’s efforts. Through this initiative and the SC’s One Tide programme, Qatar is taking great strides to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated in the country and across the region. “Our immediate objective is to raise awareness and encourage sustainable behaviours among people in Qatar – and globally – which helps to enable a circular economy for plastics,” Al Meer added. Click here to learn more about the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustainability Strategy.