The former England captain is being handsomely rewarded for bringing his global profile to bear for Qatar’s rulers
From the Corniche that follows the curve of the reclaimed seafront at the edge of Doha, David Beckham looks down from a vast digital billboard, the hair immaculate, the neck tattoos discreet and the strong sense that he is very much at home in Qatar.
Beckham is the man chosen by the host nation, from all the footballers in the world past and present, to advertise the Qatar government’s “One Pass” offer to travelling fans. The pass offers access to the World Cup host’s world-class museums, to exhibitions staged to coincide with the tournament and other restaurant or “lifestyle and adventure” offers.
It feels like a little taste of the VVIP lifestyle to which the man himself must be accustomed. Although for you and me it does not come for free. The silver grade One Pass retails for 199 Qatari riyals, around £50, going up through the levels from gold (£97), platinum (£120) and on to diamond at £480. It is reassuring to know that, in Beckham’s world, there is no bronze.
The One Pass is significant because it is advertised for sale via the Qatari government’s Hayya app, which all travellers must download before they visit the tiny oil and gas-rich Gulf state this month. The Hayya app is a slick, glitch-free production, which is also your visa for entry, a tour guide and a booking portal.