Egypt to allow World Cup fans in, aspiring for more tourist inflows

Egypt will allow World Cup fans to enter without visas, amid hopes that tourism revenues will partially solve its grueling foreign currency crisis.

Amr Emam
Amr Emam
Tourists ride camels at the Giza pyramids necropolis with (foreground to background) the Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkheres), Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) and Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Giza, Egypt, Oct. 27, 2022.
Tourists ride camels at the Giza pyramids necropolis with (foreground to background) the Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkheres), Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) and Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Giza, Egypt, Oct. 27, 2022. — Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO — Egypt has dropped the entry visa requirement for fans visiting Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022, in its bid to boost its tourism sector, a major foreign currency earner.

The decision, taken by the Cabinet Nov. 16, will allow foreigners carrying the Qatar entry Hayya card to enter Egypt, without having to obtain an entry visa.

Qatar introduced the card to ease entry into it and into stadiums hosting World Cup games by the fans of the 32 nations participating in the tournament.

The move, informed sources say, can stimulate the local tourism sector by capitalizing on a major sports event held in close proximity to Egypt.

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