Martín Pineda is jumping for joy because on Wednesday 38 November he will board a plane that will take him to his third World Cup in the Arab country of Qatar. But he is not alone but accompanied by a group of 10 friends from Los Angeles , New York, Honduras and Mexico.
“I have been fortunate to go to the World Cup in Brazil and Russia, and I had told myself that I would not go to the World Cup in Qatar due to all the restrictions in That country. I felt that it was not going to be the same, but when I listened to one of the videos of Alan around the World , I liked it when he said that Qatar opens the doors to the world and I think that it can lead to progressive change.”
With that mentality, Martín, the son of immigrant parents from Honduras, born in Los Angeles, an activist for the rights of migrants and a soccer fan, began to plan the trip and encouraged several friends who joined him.
“We are going to spend 4 days in Egypt, 7 days in Qatar and 6 days in Dubai. We are all going to meet in Paris.”
Martín is also super excited because his friends got tickets to attend 7 games: United States-Wales, United States-England; Mexico-Poland; Spain-Costa Rica; Brazil-Serbia; Argentina-Saudi Arabia and Uruguay-Korea.
“The trick to get cheap tickets is to buy them through FIFA, but it’s all a job, you have to be patient and keep an eye out, checking all the time . I had to be at 3 in the morning looking for tickets.”
Martín Pineda will travel to Qatar for his third World Cup. (Courtesy)
Regarding the strict rules that visitors to the World Cup must follow Qatar said that it is clear that when you travel to another country, you must learn the basics and respect, but also noted that the Arab country wanted to have this event and open its doors to the world.
“In this matter, it will be difficult to control so many people, but you do have to have a minimum awareness and be respectful. If you go to a mosque, you have to be well covered”.
Martín recalled that he had a tremendous culture shock when he traveled to Morocco and Turkey because it was his first encounter with the Arab-Muslim world.
Compared to the last two World Cups to which he has had to go, he considered that it will be different and unique with luxury stadiums . “Qatar is a super small country. The World Cup is going to be held in the capital Doha, in a very small space.”
In the other World Cups, he said that people even slept in airports if they couldn’t find or couldn’t pay for the lodging.
“In the case of Qatar, they ask you as a requirement to enter the country and go to the matches, to get the card Hayya Card , and you must prove that you have a place to stay.”
Martín Pineda with a group of friends to go to the World Cup in Qatar. (Courtesy)
But he also mentioned that compared to other worlds, the accommodation is much more accessible. “In Russia, a sofa on Airbnb used to cost $100 per night, and a night in a hotel that right now you can find it at $10, $11, they gave it to you at $250. It was excessively expensive”.
Instead, he revealed that in Qatar they got a large house for rent that will cost them $96 per person, per night.
Martín acknowledged that he is very excited about going to the World Cup in Qatar.
“It’s Messi’s last World Cup, and it’s an opportunity to learn more about Arab culture.”
He does not believe that the restrictions imposed on Qatar by his religion can change, but at least some openness could be achieved.
“We have to respect his culture, but he will It will be difficult to control everything because a World Cup is a party and it is noise; and it’s the fans’ chants that do it.”