For Saudi fan, road to World Cup is a desert trek
For Saudi fan, road to World Cup is a desert trek

Saudi solo trekker Abdullah Alsulmi defies the scorching heat as he walks through the town of Al-Khasrah, 340 kilometres southwest of Riyadh, on his way from his native Jeddah to the Qatari capital Doha ahead of the World Cup 2022 tournament.

"I got excited when I heard Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani promising football fans an 'exceptional' experience at the upcoming World Cup.

I said I will go no matter what, even if I have to walk!," says the 33-year-old.