OFFICIAL SOCCEROOS FAN TOUR | 20 Nov – 3 Dec

Tour Summary

The Green & Gold Army is travelling to Qatar and you’re invited to join all the fun!

When it comes to Socceroos travel packages, it doesn’t get better than this: 13 nights in the Official Socceroos Fan Base, taking in the entire Group Stage of the biggest show on Earth – the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM.

From the moment you arrive at Doha airport our team will there to look after you to ensure you enjoy a premium World Cup experience.

Our project team has travelled to Qatar on 4 separate occasions since 2019 to plan our tour program and we can report that this edition of the World Cup will exceed all expectations.  With all 8 stadiums and fans of every participating nation based in the same city, this is a World Cup that is sure to create once in a lifetime experiences.

This is a World Cup for aficionados of the world game – and with Green & Gold Army being the Official Tour Partner of Football Australia and the exclusive operator of the Official Socceroos Fan Base, you can be certain that your World Cup experience will be shared with a group of football-loving Socceroos Fans.

Welcome to Qatar. Welcome to the time of your life!

Package Inclusions

  • 13 nights’ premium 4 Star apartment accommodation in the Official Socceroos Fan Base (see ‘Key Tour Information’ section below for details)

  • Arrival and departure airport transfers

  • All ground transportation (luxury bus/coach travel between hotel and all official tour activity/match days)

  • Exclusive Socceroos Training Attendance x1

  • Traditional Welcome Function under the desert sky

  • Exclusive & legendary Green & Gold Army Pre-Match Events including food, alcohol (where permitted) & entertainment (prior to each Socceroos match)

  • Hosted by Simon Hill, Lawrie McKinna, John Kosmina & Daniel Garb

  • Fully escorted by experienced Australian and local bi-lingual guides

  • 3 x included tourism activities – National Museum | Museum of Islamic Art | Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

  • Match Ticket Guarantee – see ‘Key Tour Information’ section below for full details

  • Green & Gold Army Tour Pack (includes back pack, tour scarves, hat and much more)

  • Provisions Starter Pack (your fridge will be stocked to ensure a smooth transition into your apartment)

  • Tour App detailing every moment on tour

  • Best of all, a group of passionate Socceroos fans to share the experience with!

Tour Itinerary

The tour itinerary has been designed to seamlessly blend football, culture and social activities. We understand football is the primary reason you are on tour and plenty of time has been scheduled for you to attend other FIFA World Cup matches and to attend the many FIFA Fan Fests to catch all the action on the big screens with fans from across the globe. If one of the tourism activities don’t interest you, you can always skip it and do your own thing.

20 November: Arrive in Doha, where our staff will be waiting to greet you and to transfer you to the Socceroos Fan Base – your home away from home for the next two weeks. Participate in a guided tour of the local surrounds. In the afternoon, attend the Welcome Tour Briefing to meet your guides and receive an update on tour activity.

21 November: Take in the surrounding environment, stock up the apartment, and get ready for the opening games of the World Cup to kick-off. In the late afternoon you will be transported to the desert to enjoy a spectacular Arabic themed Green & Gold Army Welcome Event in the fresh desert air.

22 November: MATCH DAY: FIFA WORLD CUP (France v Australia)
Our coaches will transfer you to our pre-match event, where our expert panel will preview the upcoming match against the French. We will arrive at the stadium with ample time prior to kick off to soak up the atmosphere. A rematch of 2018, can we go one better this time around? Post-match (and with three points in the bag) our coaches will transfer you back to our accommodation.

23 November: Rest Day. Post-match recovery morning could include a leisurely walk along Lusail Promenade, head to the Pearl for a brunch, or relax by the apartment pool. In the afternoon we will be visiting the Socceroos and hear from Graham Arnold and enjoy a little time with the team.

24 November: Enjoy your day tour of the Qatar National Museum.

25 November: Free Day. Attend another FIFA World Cup match, soak up the sun at Katara Beach or take in an amazing Middle Eastern sunset and Arabic mixed grill. Or simply head to the FIFA Fan Fest to catch all the footballing action on the big screens and mingle with fans from across the globe.

26 November: MATCH DAY: FIFA WORLD CUP (Tunisia v Australia)
Another Socceroos’ match day starting with another famed Green & Gold Army pre-match event. This is our day for 3 points!

27 November:  Free Day. Attend another FIFA World Cup match, explore the Qatar cultural village of Katara or shop till you drop at Villaggio Mall. With Argentina and Mexico meeting (certain to be the best supported nations in Qatar) today is the perfect day to watch all the action on the big screen at a FIFA Fan Fest with your fellow Socceroos fans.

28 November: Today we visit the world class Museum of Islamic Art. A highlight and sure to leave a lasting impression.

29 November: Enjoy your day tour at the impressive and world class Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim bin Al Thani museum. Sheikh Faisal now into his 80’s has amassed one of the world’s most amazing private collections. It is not to be missed. A real surprise is awaiting. The world’s biggest man shed. Tonight’s footballing action is headlined by England v Wales kicking off at 10pm.

30 November: MATCH DAY: FIFA WORLD CUP (Denmark v Australia)
Our final group game against Denmark – we owe these guys one after 2018 in Russia. The day’s action will commence with our final pre-match function, before we head to the stadium for all the action.

1 December: Rest Day. Attend another FIFA World Cup match, enjoy a shawarma or if you are game, get a haircut from one of the locals.

2  December: Our last day in Doha. Spend it with newly-made friends, load up on FIFA merchandise or wander the Falcon Souk and learn about these magnificent birds.

3 December: Tour Ends as we catch our flights home with smiles on our faces having witnessed the Socceroos make history and as we reflect on our Arabic experience and the many new and lasting friendships made.

Please note that a final itinerary will be issued around 15 days prior to travel. There is no obligation to attend official tour activities – the choice of which activities you attend is yours.

Pricing

1 Bedroom Apartments – price per person

OccupancyPrice
Double 8,995
Single (Own Room)13,245
*Note that 1 Bedroom apartments have KING size beds only – twin bedding is only available in 2 Bedroom apartments. We have very limited 1 Bedroom apartments.

2 / 3 Bedroom Apartments – price per person

OccupancyPrice
Double / Twin$7,745
Solo Traveller Match$7,745
Single (own room in apartment)$10,995
*Note that pricing is per person within a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. King & Twin bedding is available. See Key Tour Information below for more details. 

Instalments & Notes

  • full payment (by credit/debit card) required when booking

  • Guests who have previously travelled with GGA enjoy a Loyalty Discount of $250

  • Solo Traveller Match: we’ll match you with a person of similar age and gender to room share to keep the price down. Twin share pricing applies. 25% of our travellers did this for 2018 Russia and 2019 France. It is a highly successful program. You can select this option during the booking process.

  • International Flights are not included in the package price and are to be arranged independently at an additional cost. Need help with your flights? Contact us worldcup@ggarmy.com and we can assist

Key Tour Information

Match Tickets & Tour Guarantee

Match tickets are not included in tour packages. Each tour participant is required to secure their own match tickets via FIFA.com

Over the past 3 World Cups we have never had a guest miss out on a ticket to a Socceroos match they wanted to attend. That’s over 1,500 people, all having tickets.

We are so confident that our tour guests will obtain tickets that we are offering this exclusive Match Ticket Guarantee for guests who book their Green & Gold Army package:

If you fail to obtain tickets via FIFA to at least two Socceroos Group Stage fixtures and GGA is unable to facilitate the offer of tickets for you through our Buy, Swap & Sell Platform (for instance, from fans who can no longer attend) by no later than 13 November 2022, then we will refund the ground portion of your Green & Gold Army Package in full if you choose not to travel.*

*Some conditions apply: (a) tickets facilitated through the Buy, Swap & Sell Platform may not be offered at face value; (b) refund is limited to the ground portion of your package and does not include any flights or any other expenses you have incurred in connection with your package.

Alcohol in Qatar

There are very few places to consume alcohol in Qatar. It is forbidden in public places and our accommodation is alcohol free. We will enjoy alcohol at some of our events. However, we ask all guests to respect that we are guests in Qatar and alcohol won’t figure prominently in our program compared to previous world cups.

Apartment Accommodation

The Qatar World Cup is unique with accommodation extremely limited. It is the first time that the entire event is being held in the one city. As a result hotel accommodation is at a premium. It is for this reason that GGA decided to secure a cluster of premium apartment buildings of 4 star standard. We are creating the Official Socceroos Fan Base.

All our apartment buildings (which are new) are in immediate proximity, a 5 minute walk to tram/metro, supermarket, restaurants, cafes and more.

Each apartment is fully self-contained with kitchen essentials (crockery, dishwasher, washing machine, iron and ironing board, Wi-Fi and Bein Sport (World Cup broadcaster). Housekeeping is every 3 days (managed by Accor) and the best part, you can share with your friends and new friends.

Our buildings comprise 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. If you are booking one bedroom within a two or three bedroom apartment, our team will match you with travellers of a similar demographic. You will each have your own bedroom, but will share common facilities (living room and kitchen).

Other tour groups are using budget accommodation with up to 10 people per apartment in complexes that will be repurposed for Qatar’s migrant workforce after the World Cup. We inspected and were offered these ‘complexes’. We were uncomfortable accommodating guests in this style of accommodation and rejected it immediately. The ‘complexes’ are not premium and more simple hostel/bunkhouse style workers’ accommodation.

Have questions? See our FAQ section below where we have addressed common questions regarding accommodation. Feel free to contact us for more information as needed.

Why Travel with Green & Gold Army?

  • Premium apartment accommodation (4 star quality). Other tour groups are using budget accommodation with up to 10 people per apartment to be repurposed for Qatar’s migrant workforce after the World Cup. We inspected and were offered this type of accommodation but were not comfortable accommodating our guests in it.

  • We are the Official Tour Operator of Football Australia and the most experienced operator when it comes to supporting the Socceroos and Matildas abroad.

  • We are managing the travel arrangements for the Socceroos’ family members and friends in Qatar – you will be in safe and experienced hands.

  • Everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive (quality accommodation, transfers, touring options, stadium parking, special events & more). Past guests say this is one of the real advantages of a GGA tour. All you have to do is follow the itinerary on our tour app and enjoy your tour experience. No stress, just fun.

  • GGA representatives have been to Qatar on four separate occasions since 2019 to prepare our tour. We road tested everything in our tour. In other words it passed our test and made it into the itinerary.

  • GGA has access to security advice and support that ensures the safety of our tour participants.

  • Our experienced team of hosts/guides will be on hand 24 hours a day to support all your needs.

And here’s what you can expect to experience… 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I purchase FIFA World Cup Tickets for Australia’s matches?

Tickets for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 are sold exclusively through FIFA in a several-phase process that’s still ongoing. There is another release of tickets in early July which will include Football Australia’s allocation of approximately 8% of Al Janoub Stadium. Subscribe to FIFA tickets here:  https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/tickets for updates. If you sign up for our database below, we will ensure you are advised of updates about the sale of Australian tickets.

What if I don't secure tickets?

Based on our experience of operating tours to the 2010, 2014 & 2018 FIFA World Cups, we are very confident that every one of our tour participants will secure tickets to Australia’s matches. Thus we include a Match Ticket Guarantee – more information is in the ‘Key Tour Information Section’.

Are International flights included / How do I get to Qatar?

Are international flights included?

International flights are not included in the package price and are to be organised independently at your cost. Need help arranging flights? Please contact us at worldcup@ggarmy.com  once you have booked your tour package and we will assist.

How do I get to Qatar?

The best way to enter Doha, Qatar is by air. Qatar Airways has direct flights from Australia. Etihad Airways has good connections to Doha via Abu Dhabi. If you fly Emirates please note that you will need to change airport terminals in Dubai to connect to Doha. Over 50 international airlines fly into Doha and options are plentiful. Hamad International Airport (HIA) is the only port of entry if you’re travelling to Qatar by air.

Do I need a Visa to enter Qatar?

Australians do not require a visa to enter Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. However, fans must apply for a Hayya Card if planning to attend a match at the World Cup. A Hayya Card is a form of Fan ID, which will be required to enter the country and attend matches during the tournament period. The bonus is once you have a Hayya Card you are entitled to free public transport access on match days.

Do I need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Qatar?

The short answer is no. The long answer is if you want a smooth and hassle free entry to Qatar then you should be fully vaccinated and have the appropriate Australian government certification in digital and print form. Unvaccinated travellers are required to have pre and post arrival RT-PCR tests and can be directed by authorities to hotel quarantine without reason and at your own cost.

What happens if I catch Covid-19 on tour?

GGA has a contingency plan to isolate any guests who test positive to Covid-19. The isolation accommodation is not located in the Socceroos Fan Base. It will be an additional cost and provided you have the correct travel insurance cover, most, if not all costs will be recoverable.

How is accommodation allocated in the GGA apartments?

GGA apartments are a mix of 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms.

1 bedroom apartments have double beds only and are limited in supply. If you are a couple wanting your own 1 bedroom apartment please request this during the booking process. Supply is limited and is subject to availability on a first purchased basis.

Most guests will stay in 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. And so, bookings are based on 4 or 6 people sharing 2 and 3 bedroom apartments respectively. All apartments have 2 bathrooms. GGA will allocate rooms within apartments based on guest demographics.

If you are travelling solo, it is possible to select a room to yourself within a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. Please select this option when booking. Alternatively, you can select our ‘Solo Match Program’, where you will share a twin room within a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.

Apartment Accommodation: Who will I share with?

Green & Gold Army tour accommodation is located in apartments which is the Official Socceroos Fans Base. The configuration of apartments are mostly 2 and 3 bedrooms.

Our tour management will liaise with every guest to ensure groups of friends are housed together.

We also work closely with all of our guests to match independent travellers and couples from a similar demographic into shared apartments – for example, couples will be matched with couples of a similar age; father-son combinations will be matched; single travellers will be matched based on sex and age.

Our tour management is very experienced with this matching process – we have undertaken this process for the 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 FIFA World Cups and it has been highly successful – many lasting friendships have been formed.

We are a group of friends - we want to share an apartment, but want to make separate bookings - can we do this?

No problems! During the booking process, there is a ‘Special Requests’ text box – just let us know who your friends are and we’ll ensure you are allocated within the same apartments.

Are the GGA Apartments modern?

All the apartments selected by GGA are either brand new or as new (not more than 2 years old). The quality of finishings and furnishings is equivalent to a 4 star apartment hotel in Australia. They are well appointed, very clean, self-contained (fridge, dishwasher, clothes washing machine/drier, oven, microwave, crockery etc…), comfortable and geographically well located.

When will I find out my allocated accommodation?

We will provide you with accommodation information (including address) at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour.

What is the Green & Gold Army Travel Style?

While our tours are football focused – we know that’s why you’re here in the first place – we also design our tours so you can experience and uncover the sights and culture of the host destination. We also want you to get to know and develop friendships with like-minded Australian football fans.

Our pre/post-match functions are renowned for being fun (even a little raucous!) and are the perfect way to build up to the match or celebrate a victory. Our welcome functions are designed so you can get to know your fellow travellers and develop friendships with them at the beginning of the tour.

Who travels on Green & Gold Army Tours?

A whole range of Australian football fans travel with us – for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, our youngest traveller was 4 years old and our oldest traveller was 89!

We have lots of father-son combinations, groups of friends, couples and solo travellers. Our travelling groups are very diverse and you bound to meet lots of like-minded people.

If you’re a female looking to tour with us, rest-assured there will be many other females travelling – around 25% of our tour groups are female.

If you’re a solo traveller, we haven’t forgotten you: we offer a solo-match program where we match you with another solo traveller of similar age to room-share. This keeps the cost down for you and also means you meet a fellow traveller straight away.

I am a solo traveller - what are my options?

The GGA operates a solo traveller match service. Our management matches solo travellers to room share. We have vast experience at this and it is a great way to travel if you are on your own. We match people of similar demographics and facilitate a pre-tour introductions.

Here’s what our past guests say about travelling with the Green & Gold Army to a World Cup…

Note that Green & Gold Army Pty Ltd is in no way associated with FIFA, the Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022 or related entities. The term World Cup (and similar) is used only for the purpose of properly describing certain events. GGA’s travel packages and services are not affiliated with FIFA. FIFA’s official ticket site is www.fifa.com/tickets.