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The Qatari Government has announced that it will only allow people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend next year's FIFA World Cup.

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani told local media that that the country is in negotiations to provide one million doses of the vaccine to any non-vaccinated fans visiting the country for the tournament.

Committing to the tournament being held in full capacity stadium, Sheikh Khalid explained that while most countries were expected to have vaccinated their citizens by then, Qatar was still taking measures to ensure a successful event.

As reported by Qatari newspaper The Peninsula, he advised “we are currently negotiating with a company to provide us with one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate non-vaccinated people coming to World Cup Qatar 2022.

“Our primary goal in vaccinating some of the people coming to Qatar to attend the 2022 World Cup is to protect the public health of citizens and residents, as well as to protect the fans participating in the tournament.”

Sheikh Khalid said the vaccination requirement will be introduced as there remains a possibility that some countries will not be able to vaccinate all of their citizens by the time of the commencement of the tournament next November

He went on to say that while COVID-19 has had some “minor impact” on preparations for the World Cup, Qatar is in a good position with the majority of work having already been carried out prior to the pandemic, noting that Lusail Stadium, the site for the World Cup final on 18th December 2021, is “90% completed”.

Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy  has completed work on four of its stadia ahead of next year’s World Cup, with Al Rayyan Stadium becoming the latest to open its doors in December last year.

It followed Khalifa International Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium and Education City Stadium.

Qatari officials had earlier said they hoped to hold a Coronavirus-free tournament and planned to make vaccinations available to attendees not already immunized.

The 2021 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from 21st November to 18th December next year.

Image: Qatar's Al Rayyan Stadium.

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