DOHA, December 1. /TASS/. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be attended by some 6,000 Russians, with less than half of them arriving directly from Russia, Russian Ambassador to Qatar Dmitry Dogadkin told TASS in an interview on Thursday.

The 22nd FIFA World Cup is taking place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. The Russian team was banned from participating in the qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Cup over the situation in Ukraine.

"For obvious reasons, not so many Russian citizens have arrived here to see the World Cup: our compatriots have bought some 6,000 tickets. And there are not many guests and football fans from Russia. Maybe, around 2,500 [have arrived]," Dogadkin said.

"We should admit that this is not our event. I, for one, like football, and I am a fan of FC Spartak <…>. People often ask me who I support here, and I say with confidence - no one. Well, I like some teams a bit and dislike others, but I wouldn’t support anyone… I do not understand those who are fans of foreign clubs or teams," the Russian diplomat added.