Qatar has announced the COVID policy for international fans attending this year’s World Cup.

All visitors aged six and above must show a negative PCR test to enter the country, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure, the rules say.

Fans over 18 are also required to download an app showing they do not have the virus to get into public closed indoor spaces.

People arriving in Qatar will not be asked to quarantine, but will be told to isolate if they test positive during their stay.

The official guidance on the Qatar 2022 website also says masks will be mandatory on public transport and in healthcare facilities during the competition, which begins on 20 November.

Qatar will play Ecuador in the opening match at the Al Bayt Stadium in the northeastern province of Al Khor.

England will face Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, the capital, the following day.

Gareth Southgate’s squad will then go up against the United States on 25 November before facing Wales four days later.

Wales will play the US on 21 November then Iran on 25 November.

The Qatar World Cup will be the shortest in history, with the final held on 18 December.

DOGGED BY YEARS OF CONTROVERSY

The tournament has attracted controversy since Qatar was awarded the event by FIFA, the world football governing body, in 2010.

A former FIFA official was accused of using bribery and corruption, including “secret payments”, to help the desert state win its bid.

A former FIFA inspector branded the decision “a mistake” and expressed fears for the health of fans and players if the World Cup was hosted during the summer months, when Qatar can pass 40C.

Harold Mayne-Nicholls warned that playing during the summer would be “impossible” – and the tournament was later moved to the winter.

Qatar has also faced ongoing criticism over its human rights record, with organisations including Amnesty International accusing it of failing to protect migrant workers.

More than 6,000 people are estimated by The Guardian to have died building stadiums and facilities for the tournament.

Qatar has called that figure “inaccurate” and says only three workers have died.

Teams have rallied against the regime in Qatar, with Denmark unveiling a black kit in protest over human rights violations.

Hummel, the supplier, shared the kit on Instagram along with the caption: “Black. The colour of mourning. The perfect colour for Denmark’s third shirt for this year’s World Cup.

“While we support the Danish national team all the way, this shouldn’t be confused with support for a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives.

“We wish to make a statement about Qatar’s human rights record and treatment of migrant workers that have built the country’s World Cup stadiums.”

Qatar’s Supreme Committee, which oversees construction, disputed Hummel’s claim and said the country has made “significant reforms to the labour system” to protest the rights of workers improved their living conditions.

“For that reason, we dispute Hummel’s claim that this tournament has cost thousands of people their lives,” it said.

“Furthermore, we wholeheartedly reject the trivialising our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built FIFA World Cup stadiums.”

England’s Harry Kane will wear an anti-discrimination armband, along with captains from nine other countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.

Nasser al Khater, the chief executive of the tournament, said Qatar had been “unfairly treated and scrutinised”.

Mr al Khater said players who wanted to protest would be free to do so and insisted that despite homosexuality being illegal in Qatar, LGBTQ+ fans would be welcome.

Officials are also said to have conscripted civilians and diplomats from abroad to assist with the security operation at the World Cup – including managing stadium queues, frisking fans and searching for drugs, alcohol and weapons.

They have been warned it is their “patriotic duty” to help, and many fear the consequences if they refuse to comply.

Source: Skynews