What are the Covid rules for players heading to Qatar for the World Cup?

The hosts have ploughed billions into ensuring they are ready to host FIFA's showpiece event.

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The tournament will hopefully provide a celebration following a difficult few years globally amid the Covid pandemic.

The host country have teamed up with the World Health Organisation to ensure everyone is safe with coronavirus still a key concern.

Restrictions and Covid passes might be a thing of the past in England after a successful vaccination campaign, but things are going to be a bit different in Qatar for players and fans.

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What are the Covid rules for players?

Players from 32 countries will all descend on the Gulf state to participate in the World Cup.

Managers are allowed to take 26 players, meaning there will be 832 players plus staff and relatives.

We already know there will be at least some players who haven't been vaccinated or fully vaccinated, as John Stones, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan were all denied entry to the USA earlier this year because of their vaccination status.

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All three are likely to be involved for England and Germany, respectively, so there are bound to be plenty of others.

But the rules for these players remain unclear.

Qatar's official travel rules state that anyone who is unvaccinated must self-isolate for five days.

This would be a nightmare for many teams, such as England with the Three Lions due to travel to Qatar six days before the start of the tournament.

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If this rule were enforced, they could be without several players in training, and every other team could be in the same situation.

But at the FIFA Arab Cup last December, unvaccinated players weren't required to self-isolate and were instead subject to increased tests in an effort to prevent an outbreak.

If this is the route they go down, things would be much easier for every team taking part in the World Cup.

However, as it stands, a final decision has yet to be made.

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What are the Covid rules for fans?

Fans who intend to travel to Qatar for the World Cup should be aware that being fully vaccinated isn't enough.

You must show evidence of a negative PCR test 48 hours before your flight or a Rapid Antigen test 24 hours before your departure.

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This is non-negotiable, and you might be barred entry if your test isn't within the time frame.

This test applies to all individuals, vaccinated and unvaccinated while self-tests won't be accepted.

If you are unvaccinated, you will be required to self-isolate for five days upon arrival.

Supporters must also register their details on the Ehteraz website three days before leaving.

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This is a state-controlled site and is essential for access to the country. Fans need to also download the app, activate it once in Qatar and then log in to places as you would with the NHS app.

On arrival, visitors may have to take part in temperature checks and thermal screenings.

Finally, anyone travelling to Qatar for the World Cup must apply for a Hayya Card.

At the moment, only ticket holders can apply for one, but you won't be allowed in any stadiums or certain areas if you don't own this card.

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