With preparations underway in full swing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar on Friday inaugurated its latest stadium for the quadrennial event in front of a half-capacity crowd of over 20,000, who were all tested for the coronavirus although social distancing norms were lax. 

The gathering at the Al-Rayyan Venue, 24 kilometres (15 miles) west of the capital city of Doha, was one of the largest for any sporting event in the world since the onset of the pandemic, AFP reported.

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A crowd of over 20,000 fans was also present at the Super Rugby Aotearoa in New Zealand, six days after the archipelago declared itself virus-free. Similar crowds are also attending the National Football League (NFL) games in the United States, despite a surging caseload and death toll. 

For the inauguration of the stadium in Qatar, fans were allowed to apply for tickets only if they tested positive for coronavirus antibodies or if they tested negative for the COVD-19 infection. 

Organisers had earlier announced that 10,000 seats will be reserved for both categories. 

The 40,000-seat ground is set to host seven matches during the upcoming World Cup, up to and including the round of 16 matches. The stadium hosted the domestic Emir Cup final as its inaugural match. 

Favourites Al-Sadd, coached by former Barcelona and Spain player Xavi Hernandez, took on minnows Al-Arabi in front of an audience that included the country’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino.

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Despite strict rules inside the stadium mandating masks, assigning seats, and banning on eating, social distancing was absent in the fan zone before kick-off.

Thousands of spectators, some un-masked, flocked around a stage to watch breakdancing and Bollywood renditions while a compere unsuccessfully encouraged social distancing.

“In theory, no one should have it (COVID-19),” said one organiser as he headed into the stadium ahead of the game.

Security officers confiscated food and drink as well as hand sanitisers under existing rules banning fans from bringing liquids into matches.

“It is very important for everybody. This is the biggest match since March,” said Al-Arabi fan Mohammed Mirza, a 60-year-old car dealer from Iran who tested negative for the virus.

“I’m very happy that all the people are safe. For a long time they couldn’t come out and see a nice game.”

Qatar has slowly been welcoming fans back to stadiums, permitting attendances of up to 30 percent in the top-flight Qatar Stars League.

Qatar, which has tested 43% of its 2.75 million population, has recorded 141,716 infections since the beginning of the pandemic with the high rate attributed to aggressive testing and unsanitary accommodation for workers.

However, only 242 people have died of the virus and the rate of new infections per 100,000 for the past week was 37.7 — well down from the peak.