The VVIP is all the rage at the World Cup in Qatar: what is it?

An exotic figure dressed as some sort of antelope, covered from head to toe in a dazzling gold checkered pattern, greeted them. And when asked her identity, the strange figure, who supposedly doesn’t speak, murmurs under her breath: “I am an oryx”.

But this is the World Cup Qatar 2022where there is something even better than the VIP entrance: there is also the VVIP entrance.

What is it about

And it’s not available, and it’s not even visible, to any of us. Flanked by fences and disconnected from the normal transit network, the entrance Al Bayt VVIP is an immense portal through which the really important fans – like the Emir of Qatar, who arrives by helicopter and immediately gets into a Mercedes Benz – are ushered directly to their super-special stand in the stadium. This is how they make sure they never interact with common fans, and don’t even have to share the same space, La Nación specifies with information from The New York Times.

Although every sports venue has its tiered luxury system: the box for the owners of the host club, the lounges for businessmen, elevators with special access, ridiculously expensive stalls, and even more ridiculously expensive stalls. But world this year, where two entities covered in money and powers converge – Qatar, where all power and privileges emanate from the emir, and the FIFAworld soccer’s governing body, with its massive funds and network of sponsors – is a stark reminder that a more stale level of exclusivity is always possible.

Alcohol as the protagonist

In this World Cup, the biggest difference between a luxury audience and a non-luxury audience is alcohol. To the dismay of the fans, and also of Budweiserthe official beer of the tournament since 1986, the kingdom of Qatar reversed its previous decision and decreed, shortly before the opening of the World Cup, that the sale of alcoholic beer – and indeed, of all alcoholic beverages – would be prohibited. in all stadiums and their surroundings.

But that didn’t affect the free spigot of beer, champagne, whiskey, gin, wine and later spirits that flows non-stop for fans in the sectors VIP and VVIP. Apparently, the rules are not the same for everyone…

In the rest room of the audience of 3000 dollars of the stadium Al Bayt during the game of USA with England, for example, the bar menu included Taittinger champagne, chivas regal whiskey 12 years old, Martell VSOP brandy, and José Cuervo 1800 tequila.

VIP, VVIP and even more

On the other hand, a Qatari involved in the logistical organization of the tournament who did not want to speak officially because he is allowed to, said that sometimes there is an excess of VIPs in Qatari events. In those cases, many people end up being promoted to VVIP, and then the organizers are forced to create a whole new level: VVVIP, the human equivalent of a seven-star hotel.

With all that inflation VIPit is not surprising that fans are concerned about their status in the exclusivity ladder.

A few days ago, in the luxurious hotel fairmont doha, which during the tournament has become a magnet for former soccer stars, tycoons and FIFA’s highest ranking figures, had officials milling around the lobby, waiting for the first game of the day. And there was the security guard to repel unwanted visitors.

A member of the Council of the FIFA he walked the marble floors of the lobby with his cell phone pressed to his right cheek, telling the person on the other end how many (free) tickets he needed for each game. Further on, another FIFA official was handing out pre-purchased tickets to hotel guests.

Nearing the time to leave for the stadium, two women in navy suits appeared with signs directing guests to follow them: one of the signs was for “FIFA VIPs”, the other, for “FIFA VVIPs”.

Minutes later, a very well-dressed couple received their tickets. The woman peeked inside the envelope: bad news. “VIP only,” she murmured.

At the hotel car exit, the VVIP they were led to a caravan of black vans waiting for them to take them to the game. The VIP they had to settle for taking the bus…