Flamengo fan embassies mobilize for global success, in Doha gripped by Arab Cup fever

• Analysis: Flamengo is approved twice in Qatar and arrives in a better version to try to write history against PSG
• From the city to the desert, find out how the Flamengo team took advantage of the time off before the intercontinental final

In addition to those wearing the club jersey in tourist areas, there is a concentration of supporters at the Belgian Café, an establishment in the West Bay region. The spot brought fans together for the 2019 Club World Cup, when Flamengo lost the final to Liverpool it once again became the place to “warm up” – and not just for members of the FlaQatar embassy.

This is the case of Andriei Cunha, a lawyer from Rio who lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and traveled to the neighboring country on behalf of Intercontinental. He is one of the members of Fla-Dubai, another official supporters’ embassy.

— I spoke to one of the founders of FlaQatar so we could help him with whatever was needed. We bring a good contingent. There must be 20 to 30 people from Fla-Dubai. For the final, more than 50 people come. We are available — said Andriei before Flamengo’s victory over Pyramids last Saturday. — I miss Brazil today: seeing Flamengo at the Maracanã.

The trip to Doha isn’t for everyone, even among Brazil’s biggest fans. Flamengo’s participation was only confirmed on the 29th, when the club won the Libertadores against Palmeiras, in Lima. Tickets to the Middle East alone cost around R$12,000, excluding accommodation and other fees.

However, there are those who came from Brazil at the last minute. A symbolic fan known as “Little Angel”, Marcelo Nuba is in Doha and was present at the FlaQatar meeting, being another element that gave a special touch to the fan meeting.

— It was very expensive for all the reds and blacks to be here. It’s the end of the year, it’s Christmas, the economy is not doing very well in Brazil. It’s a very big effort. Just thank God and the partners who brought me here, Little Angel said. — This concentration is remarkable because it had a maximum load of red and black people (in 2019). Today, we see a real possibility (of a title), respecting the size of PSG. Faith is still relevant today and multiplies with each victory. Nothing is impossible.

In fact, the crowd left something to be desired at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Even with a capacity of 45,032 spectators, it only received 7,108 during Flamengo’s victory over Cruz Azul and 8,368 during the triumph against Pyramids. More people are expected to reach the final, but it is hard to imagine an invasion, like the one carried out by Corinthians fans in Japan, during the 2012 world title.

FIFA sources report that Ahmad Bin Ali could finally be full on Wednesday, and more than 40,000 tickets have already been issued for the move. The very different scenario from previous matches is justified by the greater presence of the Brazilians and the arrival of the French, but also by the large number of guests.

Since 2011, PSG has belonged to Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), an investment fund linked to the Qatari government, which increases the number of trips so that the stadium is not empty. This edition nevertheless introduces FIFA to a tournament reinvented thanks to the creation of the Club World Cup, but which is still far from exciting.

Meanwhile, the Arab Cup is causing a stir on the streets of Doha. The tournament is in the semi-finals, which will be played today: Morocco faces the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia faces Jordan. The winners will make their decision next Thursday, the day after the intercontinental final, at the Lusail stadium, scene of the final of the last World Cup. The treatment has been luxurious and all 88,000 seats in the stadium are expected to be filled.