Inside Aussie football fanatic’s ‘bucket list’ $18,000 trip to the 2022 Qatar World Cup
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Inside the $18,000 World Cup trip of a lifetime: Why Socceroos superfan ignores Qatar’s strict laws to see 13 matches in 11 days – and meet an Aussie football legend up close and personal
Football is life for Aussie fanatic Peter Papoythis, who is about to make the journey of a lifetime to Qatar ahead of the World Cup.
The Sydney-based father-of-two will see 13 matches live over 11 hectic days in the Middle East – including all three Socceroos matches – and is likely to be a guest of family friend Tim Cahill at some matchday functions.
Affectionately known as ‘Flea’, the assistant coach of Marconi Stallions in the NSW State League is unconcerned about the strict laws in Doha.
He plans to abide by all local rules and embrace the culture.
“I’ve done my homework and I’m not afraid of safety,” Papoythis told Daily Mail Australia.
Football tragedy Peter Papoythis is about to take the trip of a lifetime to Qatar to see some of the World Cup’s biggest matches and players
Sydney-based business owner sees 13 matches across 11 days of action (pictured, Doha’s Al-Thumama stadium)
“I’m not going to do things like drink alcohol in the open air on the street, that’s disrespectful.
“I don’t do that kind of thing in Australia, so why should I do it there?”
He also doesn’t believe the heat will be a drama, with most games at night, when temperatures of 25 degrees are predicted.
Papoythis is flying away this weekend with two childhood friends and relishes the prospect of checking off a bucket list event in his life.
He is “deeply grateful” to his wife Tina – and the business owner, whom just about everyone knows in representative Sydney football circles – and can hardly believe he is about to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Marcus Rashford in person. .
“I’m a huge Manchester United fan, so to see Ronaldo up close and personal with Portugal will be surreal,” he said.
Messi is also just a ridiculous player and I think Argentina will have a very good tournament.
Seeing Portuguese superstar Ronaldo in the flesh is a bucket list item for Papoythis to tick off
Papoythis is also likely to see Lionel Messi live when Argentina take on Mexico on November 26
“Rashford and Harry Kane play for England, I pinch myself.”
The trip of a lifetime is not cheap.
Papoythis has spent nearly $18,000 on flights, accommodation and tickets – but it will all be worth it during his first game on Monday, which sees England take on Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
“The great thing about this World Cup is that all the matches I attend are within a radius of 70 kilometers,” he said.
“This way I can see matches in a row within a few hours.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for a long time, I can’t believe it’s only a few days away.”