Maldivian first couple depart to Qatar for World Cup semis

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed have departed on an official visit to Qatar to attend the semifinal matches of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

The first couple departed to Qatar on Monday evening.

The invitation to visit Qatar was extended to President Solih by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The visit has been described by the President’s Office as “symbolic of the Maldives' close and stable bilateral relations with Qatar.”

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest football tournament in the world, began in Qatar on November 20.

The semifinal matches will begin Wednesday.

The first semifinal match – which will see Argentina and the 2018 runner-up Croatia face off – will begin at 00:00 hours Wednesday – Maldivian time.

And the second semifinal match – which will see the defending champions France face off Morocco – which made history in this year’s tournament by advancing to the knockout stage for the first time – will begin at 00:00 hours Thursday – Maldivian time.

President Solih and First Lady Fazna are scheduled to conclude their visit and return to Maldives on Thursday.