Qatar

About

The host nation for the 2022 Men's World Cup could become your next coaching destination. Warm, modern, and well connected.

Qatar is a peninsula sticking out from Saudi Arabia. The controversial World Cup hosts have plenty of opportunities for coaches as they are taking their football development very seriously. We've been to Qatar and heard from those who have lived and worked there, and hope that this page will inform you of life, work, and football. The State of Qatar could be your next destination, where you can coach football in the Gulf nation.

The facts...

Where is Qatar?

Qatar is a nation state situated in the Arabian Gulf. It shares a border with Saudi Arabia, and is located across the water from Bahrain. It's also not too far away from Iran and the UAE.

Basic Facts

It takes around seven hours to get there by plane.
Qatar is three hours ahead of London.
It is legal to consume alcohol in certain bars and restaurants.
The currency is the Qatari Riyal (QAR).
1QAR is usually around £0.23p.
The main religion is Islam, with the large number of immigrants bringing lots of other religions to the country.
Arabic is the main language, with English being widely spoken. All signs are in both languages, and it will be hard to find people within the service industry who don't speak English..

More Facts

Almost 99% of the nearly three million population live in Doha.
Estimates have the population of Qatar being Qatari citizens at around 10%, with men in the country outnumbering women 3:1.
There are no forests in Qatar, and Qatar is Earth's second flattest country.
The ruling Al Thani family has been in power since 1868.
The weekend in Friday and Saturday.
Qatar Airways has been named world's best airline.
Petrol prices in Qatar are around 1/8th of what they are in the UK.
Despite having the longest drilled oil well in the world, the majority of Qatar's wealth comes from natural gas, rather than oil.
If you are interested in cycling, Doha has the world's longest continuous cycle path at 33km in length.
Camel racing is a popular sport enjoyed by Qataris, and the country loves falcons.

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The visas...

The thriving economy in Qatar is one of many factors that make this Middle Eastern nation an attractive destination for foreign companies, workers, and investors. If your company intends to expand operations to Qatar, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the immigration process so that you can obtain the necessary visas and permits for all of your employees.

Types of Work Visas in Qatar

A variety of visas are available to foreign nationals seeking entry to Qatar, including:

Tourist visas
Business visas
Work visas
Family visas
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) resident visas

For employment purposes, your staff will need Qatar work visas.

Requirements to Obtain Qatar Work Visas

Foreign employees will need a work permit as well as a residence permit before they can begin employment in Qatar. The following documents are necessary in applying for a work permit:

The employment contract
A duly completed application form from the Ministry of Labour
A medical certificate proving that the employee is in good health
A copy of the employee’s passport
Two passport photographs
Any relevant educational certificates
The immigration card of the employer
The employment visa
Biometrics, including fingerprints

To obtain a residence permit, the applicant will need to provide the following documents:

A valid passport
Two passport photographs of the employee
The employment visa
A copy of the company’s Commercial Registration
A copy of the business’s immigration card
The employee’s medical certificate

Application Process

Qatar has a relatively complex process for hiring foreign employees. To begin the process, your company will need to register with the Immigration Department within the Ministry of Interior. You cannot apply for a work permit before completing this process. As the employer, you’ll need to provide several documents, including a copy of your trade license. Upon approval, you will be granted an Immigration Card and a Representative Card.

Next, the company must apply for a block of work permits for all of the expatriates you intend to employ. You’ll need to complete the application in Arabic and disclose the total number of foreign employees, their job positions, and their nationalities. Approval will be granted by the Ministry of Labour.

Upon the approval of the work permits, your company must apply for employment visas for each foreign worker. The necessary documents for each employee, which are listed in the previous section, must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour.

Employees can travel to Qatar after receiving their work visas. Within seven days of the employee’s arrival, your company must lodge an application for their residence permit. The required documents are listed in the previous section, and they should be submitted to the Ministry of Labour.

Once the residence permit has been issued, the employee may begin working for your company in Qatar. These permits allow the employee to work for your company only. Permits can be renewed by your company on a case by case basis.

Other Important Considerations

Your company should make sure employees are aware that they are required to carry their ID and any relevant visas at all times. Labour officials may carry out inspections at your business, and employees will need to produce these documents.

Your employees should also know that they will need an exit permit to leave Qatar. This permit is issued by the Ministry of Interior and must be approved by the employer.

Info available from Globalization Partners.

In their own words...

Why did you choose Qatar?

What attracted me to Qatar was obviously the World Cup being held there. I also saw some of the facilities being developed in the country both on and off the field and thought it would be a really cool thing to experience. I had never lived in a middle eastern culture before so wanted to experience it also!
I had an invitation to coach.
Qatar chose me after sending my CV to the QFA, Al Tadamon Sports Club, Renamed Umm Salal. Signed me to coach the first and U21 teams.

What is the best thing about living in Qatar?

I think convenience. Uber is extremely cheap and also they have a good metro system which makes it easy to get around. Nothing is too far away and I quite like this aspect of life. Also it’s a growing place and every few months there’s something new being built or something new to do. It’s very well located being in the centre of the world really. A great travel hub.
Safety and looking forward to developing soccer.
Weather, amenities, good lifestyle, coaching and salary.

What took some getting used to after moving to Qatar?

Few things like the way of living and dynamics.
Certainly the weather in the summer months. From September to May the weather is great but those summer months can be brutal. I like the heat but it caught me by surprise how hot it can get. Obviously all trainings are inside in the summer months and often the summer is a good time to take a holiday.
Call to prayer five times a day, driving, players' attitude to timing.

What is the standard of football like in Qatar?

The standard is improving. They still have a way to go but they are serious about developing football especially as they have the aspire academy which aims to develop Qatari footballers and feed them into the international team. Qatar is a very small nation so it’s hard for them to compete on the world stage but after the success of the World Cup it’ll be interesting to see if they continue to develop their football infrastructure.
During my time I would say the level was lower fourth division/conference. The level has improved over the years with the introduction of senior pros from across Europe.

What are some key cultural differences in Qatar that someone may need to beware of before moving?

Obviously it’s a Muslim country so you should respect their beliefs. For example not eating in public during Ramadan. Also the weekend in Qatar is Friday and Saturday. The working week is Sunday to Thursday.
Religion. It's a male dominated world on the outside, but home was different when we visited friends, both Arab and European.

Have you been able to forge a social life in Qatar?

Yes, there are lots of things to do. I like to go cycling or for walks along the corniche or Lusail boulevard. For those that like to drink alcohol, every Friday the hotels do all you can eat and drink brunches for a set price. I have found many expats live in Qatar. There are a lot of teachers here from all over the world.

How safe and welcome do you feel in Qatar?

I feel very safe and welcome in Qatar from everyone. I have had no issues whatsoever.
Yes, no problem there.

What changes do you see happening in the future of Qatar football?

I think with the aspire academy they will really try to push Qatar football and make them a competitive force in world football. They won the Asian cup in 2019 and even though they didn’t perform brilliantly in the World Cup they will try to make them a force in future tournaments. Hopefully the legacy of the World Cup will inspire the younger generation and ensure football remains a big part of the Qatari culture.
This World Cup was great for that, but the quality of some Coaches in many clubs has been essential.
Much more professional. But like everywhere, the best coaches don't want to coach the kids, they want to coach first teams.

If you had to convince someone to come to Qatar, what would you tell them?

I would say just give it a try! It’s a very futuristic place to live and in the next few years I can only see it getting better and better. As long as you have an open mind Qatar can be a really great place to live. Qatar is very peaceful and has a great mixture of old and new. The food is great also.
Wonderful country, nice local people, they want to develop football, and a very safe country to live and build a career.

What are some of the misconceptions you have been presented with in regards to Qatar?

That it’s very strict with rules. I think people saw in the World Cup you can live your life freely in Qatar. Of course they have some religious and cultural beliefs which you should always respect, but I must say I live my life pretty normally. If you like a drink then it can be expensive in Qatar, but if you can sacrifice drinking or at least not drink to excess then everything else is very reasonably priced.
Respect the culture and behave within the laws of the country you are in and you can have an enjoyable life both professionally and socially.
I love the country and had always a good relationship with locals and coaches.

The jobs...

Academies/Soccer Schools

Qatar has opportunities for B and C licenced coaches to work for some of the private academies, such as Future Sports Qatar and Evolution Sports. The aspiration for many is to work for the famous and world renowned Aspire Academy. These jobs pay fairly well, and coaches are often looked after well by their employers. Most of these jobs will offer a good salary, health insurance, flights, and accommodation, providing attractive packages. Due to the culture and the adaptations required for coaches to adjust to Qatar, it's rare that they would employ a coach with minimal experience abroad. They need to know that you're tough enough to handle the heat, and will be able to get your head down and work well when you are out of your comfort zone. These opportunities can be quite competitive with lots of quality applicants.

Pro Clubs

The Qatari Stars league is growing in prominence and quality. It is a very international league, and due to the money, facilities, and quality of life on offer, they have been able to attract big European players at the end of their careers, such as Pep Guardiola and Santi Cazorla, and coaches who can learn their craft before making the step up, like Xavi Hernandez, recently of Al Sadd before taking over at Barcelona. Many of the pro jobs are recruited on a who you know basis. Clubs often are looking to build identifies, and end up employing coaches from the same countries, such as groups of coaches from Spain, or groups of coaches from Portugal. Like with most countries, you're better off already being in the country and working your way up, by impressing and making connections, if this is the kind of role you want to land.

PE Teaching

PE teaching for many is still seen as a doss. It's a serious job that requires a lot of time and effort, not quite getting the respect it deserves. There are many large private international schools in Qatar. These cater to quite well-to-do families, and as such, their facilities are often out of this world. Depending upon the school, the holidays can be good, and Qatar is an excellent place to travel from. Packages regularly include a good tax free salary upward of £2,000 per month, with accommodation and transport provided, health insurance, visas, a financial reward at the end of the contract, and likely a place in the school for a child or two. You'll need a PGCE and QTS as a minimum. It will also be beneficial to have a degree in a sport related subject, as well as some basic coaching qualifications. Due to Qatar not having the same pull as Dubai, teachers are often signed to longer contracts and given large bonuses at the completion.

Example of a PE teaching job at a secondary school:

The Newton Group is seeking an enthusiastic, adaptable and committed Secondary P.E. teacher to join our successful team.

Founded in 2006, The Newton Group is the largest network of schools in Qatar. Our international schools deliver the British National Curriculum across all age groups. We are staffed by British and English speaking teachers who provide a caring educational environment for our local and expatriate students who come from a wide range of backgrounds.

The Newton Group is seeking creative and dynamic teachers of the highest quality to join our successful team. Applicants should possess a commitment to helping children achieve high academic standards in a lively and engaging manner, whilst integrating differentiation and a range of learning styles into their daily practice.

Applicants should:

• Be qualified teachers, ideally with 2 years experience teaching the National Curriculum of England.

• Possess a creative and enthusiastic approach both in and out of the classroom

• Present excellent IT and interpersonal communication skills in order to work collaboratively with staff, students and Parents.

• Have studied full time and produce degree transcripts from the university they attended

• Have experience teaching IGCSE P.E.

• Be fully vaccinated and submit a COVID-19 vaccination certificate

If you meet the above criteria and you are a positive, energetic and dedicated practitioner as well as an excellent communicator who is resilient and tenacious in all aspects of your teaching practice, we would like to hear from you.

Kindly attach your CV which must include: your contact details, a recent professional photograph, your Skype ID and the email addresses of two professional referees.

A letter of application / personal statement explaining your suitability for the position you have applied for should be included.

Only applications which include all of the above details will be considered.

An excellent remuneration package is on offer to successful candidates including:

• A competitive tax-free salary

• A 2-year renewable contract

• Furnished accommodation with paid utilities

• Daily transport

• A merit-based incentive scheme

• Medical insurance

• Visa costs

• Baggage allowance

• Annual flight allowance

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Example of a coaching job

Salary: Approx £1,600-£1,700 per month

Outstanding Football Coaching Opportunities working abroad in Qatar - Home of the 2022 FIFA World Cup! We are seeking individuals who are highly organised, self motivated, enthusiastic, proactive, reliable and hardworking, to support and develop our ever expanding programmes in Qatar.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for coaching, the confidence and adaptability to lead sessions and the willingness to learn new things in order to enhance their own development. Candidates must be able to create strong working relationships, have a positive attitude and an ability to inspire and motivate children.

They will preferably hold the UEFA B Qualification (minimum) and FA Youth Module Certificates are highly desirable. Emergency First Aid and Safeguarding Children Certificates are a necessity. This role will require the candidate to deliver high quality football training to children aged 4-16 years old and will also require the delivery of holiday clubs and after school activities (Training for this will be provided).

The successful candidate will be required to work alongside our Head Coach in order to create long, medium and short-term plans and will be required to work a minimum 32 hours per week. It is essential that you have a driving license, as you will be expected to drive between required locations.Within this role you will be fully supported by our head coach and senior staff members. You will have regular appraisals and Professional Development opportunities, along with competitive rates of pay.

Future Sports Football Academy are committed to investing in staff training in order to develop our coaches further.

How to apply: Please email us your CV along with a 1 page supporting statement outlining your suitability for this role.

Closing date: Friday 28th June 2019 Start date: September 1st 2019

Articles and interviews...

Read about and listen to those who have been there and done it. Learn from their successes and failures. The best coaches are often the most happy to share and empower others. Here are a handful who know Qatar well.

We currently do not have any interviews about Qatar. Would you like to be our first? Reach out to us at admin@britishfootballcoaches.com if you would be willing to help other coaches expand their knowledge about the world.