DOHA: Qatar has tested out a massive fleet of buses ahead of next month’s World Cup, when an estimated 1.2 million soccer fans will descend on the small Gulf nation, an official said Tuesday.
Thani Al Zarraa, who is overseeing transport preparations, said some 4,000 buses will be used during the monthlong tournament, which begins Nov. 20. That includes 3,000 buses acquired for the World Cup on top of a pre-existing fleet of around 1,000, he said.
Of the new buses, around 700 will be electric, he told The Associated Press. Fans can also use Qatar’s Metro rail system.
The bus fleet will shuttle passengers between main transport hubs and the eight stadiums where the matches will be held. Authorities held tests over the weekend involving some 1,800 buses without passengers.
Transport will be free for holders of the Hayya card issued by the government, which is required for entry to stadiums. An accompanying app has a feature in which fans can plan their journeys.
All visitors to Qatar, even those not planning to attend the matches, will need a Hayya card to enter the country from Nov. 1 to Jan. 23. Cardholders will also be able to enter the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
This will be the first World Cup hosted by an Arab nation.
Qatar tests out massive bus fleet ahead of World Cup
https://arab.news/w2uts
Qatar tests out massive bus fleet ahead of World Cup
- Thani Al Zarraa, who is overseeing transport preparations, said some 4,000 buses will be used during the monthlong tournament
- The bus fleet will shuttle passengers between main transport hubs and the eight stadiums
German star Marco Reus extends his stay with the LA Galaxy through 2027
- The Galaxy announced the extension Saturday for the 36-year-old Reus
- He has 22 goal contributions in 42 matches, including five goals and nine assists last season
CALIFORNIA: German midfielder Marco Reus has extended his contract with the LA Galaxy through December 2027.
The Galaxy announced the extension Saturday for the 36-year-old Reus, who joined the Major League Soccer club in August 2024 after 12 successful years with Borussia Dortmund.
Reus immediately played an important role in the Galaxy’s surge to their league-record sixth MLS Cup championship in late 2024, and he has been largely outstanding when healthy during his stateside tenure. He has 22 goal contributions in 42 matches, including five goals and nine assists last season.
“Marco brings an incredible level of quality, experience and leadership to our group,” Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said in a statement.
“His professionalism and standards elevate everyone around him, both on the pitch and in the locker room. We’re excited that Marco will continue to be a part of the Galaxy family.”
Before he joined the Galaxy, Reus scored 170 goals from 2012 to 2024 for his hometown club and was twice selected as the German Footballer of the Year. Dortmund reached two Champions League finals while Reus became only the third player in Bundesliga history to have 100 goals and 100 assists.
Reus also was a regular for the German national team for more than a decade, but untimely injuries prevented him from playing in three of the four World Cup tournaments during that stretch.
Reus has been the Galaxy’s captain for two matches early this year, and he assisted on their first goal of the season last week.
