FIFA World Cup 22: Qatar’s strict fashion do’s and don’ts

The FIFA World Cup is officially upon us, and if you’re one of the lucky few to be attending a live match in Qatar, you’ll know that the country is governed by strict guidelines

Unfortunately for those flying in, these rules have hardly been relaxed for the tournament which kicks off on Sunday 20 November, and ends on 18 December.

In fact, in a last-minute move, Qatar has banned the sale of alcoholic beverages at World Cup stadiums.

But what about fashion?

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WORLD CUP FASHION DO’S AND DON’TS

It’s a widely known fact that Qatari men and women dress modestly in keeping with the country’s strict Islamic rules.

For women, this includes a head scarf and a long, flowing traditional dress called an abaya.

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According to the Qatar tourism handbook, the dress code of the country states that “visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for the local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothes in public”.

For the FIFA World Cup, visitors have been instructed to obey the following rules.

Fashion do’s

• Do keep your shoulders and knees covered
• Do carry an extra layer of clothing to visit official buildings like museums, shopping malls, or even markets
• Only wear swimwear at designated hotel pools and beaches
• Do bring lightweight garments made out of fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk

Don’ts

• Don’t wear anything revealing, sheer, or tight. Do not show your legs, arms, cleavage, or bare stomachs – this means that shorts, mini-skirts, crop tops, and sleeveless tops are strictly prohibited in public
• Don’t wear garments with offensive graphics or slogans
• For the men: Do not remove your shirt at any point in time

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Children are free to wear their choice of clothing until they hit puberty

For tourists enjoying the nightlife in Qatar, the rules are slightly different – for example, women are encouraged to cover their bare shoulders with a pashmina or scarf.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BREAK THE RULES?

According to The Sun, breaking any of the World Cup dress code rules can result in a hefty fine, a ban, and/or jail time.

And if you think no one is watching the movements of every individual in the country, think again.

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The publication reports that each stadium in Qatar has been equipped with more than 15,000 cameras to monitor every fan’s move.

Chief technology officer Niyas Abulrahiman said: “We have high-resolution special cameras to zoom in on a particular seat and clearly see the spectator.

“It’s being recorded, so that will help us in any post-event investigation.”