SC launches first-ever International Consular Services Centre for World Cup visitors

The opening was attended by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsSheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Sunday announced the opening of the International Consular Services Centre (ICSC) at Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC). It is the first time in FIFA World Cup history that a host nation has delivered a facility of this type. The opening was attended by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsSheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The ICSC will support fans who attend this year’s World Cup, which will be held from 20 November to 18 December. More than 40 embassies will be represented at the ICSC, including all 31 nations who qualified for the FIFA World Cup, along with the countries where ticket sales are highest. The ICSC will open to the public on Tuesday 1 November. It is located in Hall 4 at the DECC and the daily opening hours will be 10am to 10pm. The ICSC has been set up following extensive collaboration between the SC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Ministry of Interior (MoI), embassies across Qatar and other key national entities. HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, SC, said: “We are proud to launch the first ICSC in FIFA World Cup history. The centre will offer embassies a centralised and accessible location to resolve consular issues facing their fans, with key links to various national entities. “The centre provides a new model of international collaboration for consular services at mega-events – a blueprint for future event organisers. Above all, it is a living example of the power of the World Cup to bring countries and peoples from every corner of the globe together, under one roof. We thank our colleagues at the participating embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior for their close collaboration and involvement in the project.” HE Muhammad Abdullah Saeed Al Subaei, Director, Department of Consular Affairs, MoFA, said: “The ICSC will provide vital services for fans throughout the upcoming World Cup. We are very pleased to have supported the development of this facility and thank the SC and embassies across Qatar for their vital contribution.” The following countries have embassy representation at the ICSC: Argentina, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, India, Senegal, Belgium, Iran, Serbia, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Cameroon, Korea Republic, Spain, Canada, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, China, Lebanon, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Mexico, Syria, Croatia, Morocco, Tunisia, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Ecuador, Pakistan, USA, Egypt, Philippines, Uruguay, France and Poland.