Foreign Property News | Posted by Hnin Ei Khin
England have arrived in Doha for the 2022 World Cup and will be spending their tournament in a luxury beachside hotel with plenty of homely touches.
The Three Lions are staying at the Souq Al-Wakra hotel in Qatar with training taking place at the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
(England are staying at the Souq al-Wakra Hotel for the World Cup)
(The Souq al-Wakra Hotel is full of luxury details)
(England players will hopefully be calling the Souq al-Wakra Hotel home until late December)
England will stay at the hotel ahead of their opening game against Iran on November 21 and throughout the tournament for matches against the USA, Wales and, hopefully, beyond. With fixtures taking place at 10 different venues in Qatar, the hotel is in an ideal position with eight of these stadiums only a short drive away.
England’s home for the World Cup
The five-star Souq Al-Wakra hotel is based in Al-Wakra which is a fishing village based 10 miles outside of Doha.
It provides a private beach for all players and staff to access during their stay while offering a range of restaurants on-site. As well as this, the hotel includes a spa which will be ideal for the squad to receive treatment after training and matchdays.
Gareth Southgate will be able to provide team talks and host meetings within the hotel with specific meeting rooms that include ‘state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment’.
England’s stars are also being guarded by ‘elite camel patrols’ at their World Cup team hotel, The Sun have revealed. And the hotel have provided plenty of homely touches to help the players feel at ease including pictures of their families around their rooms.
(Qatar’s palace guard are a famed ceremonial sight – like Britain’s Household Cavalry)
(The England squad have had a warm welcome in Qatar)
(Eric Dier and Trent Alexander-Arnold getting nice and limber)
(England players are in plush surroundings in Qatar) The location of the hotel will also have played a big part in its selection with eight of the ten stadiums being used for the World Cup within a short distance.
Being outside of Qatar’s capital will also mean that the Three Lions can relax and stay away from the busy areas in between games. Training will be taking place at the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium which is home to Al-Wakrah Sports Club. For this World Cup, each country will be training at their dedicated training facilities on the eve of their fixtures rather than on the pitch at the stadium the game will be played.
The Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium also has an indoor basketball court, a huge swimming pool and pitchside air-conditioning.
(England players are training at the Al Wakrah SC Stadium)
(The Al Wakrah Stadium is a first class facility)
(England’s squad in training)
Where are the rest of Group B staying?
The Three Lions have opted to stay outside of the city centre of Doha but where are their Group B opponents living?
Iran’s squad are also based on the outskirts of the capital in the Al Rayyan Hotel. However, USA and Wales are based very close to the centre.
USA have chosen a hotel in the middle of The Pearl in Qatar while Wales are staying in a Delta Hotel directly in the centre of Doha. England will be looking for any advantage to increase their chances of success and this could be the first of their tactics showcased off the pitch.
Ref: England World Cup base: Guards on camels, yoga space and family touches make it home from home (talksport, dailymail)