French cyclists see sights in Jordan on way to World Cup - in pictures

Football fans Gabriel Martin and Mehdi Balamissa are covering 120km a day

French football fans Gabriel Martin, left, and Mehdi Balamissa, who are cycling from Paris to Doha for the World Cup in Qatar, on the road in Petra, southern Jordan. All photos: Reuters

The cyclists explore the sites of Petra on their way to the World Cup to cheer on France.

French cyclists Gabriel Martin and Mehdi Balamissa, who are cycling from France towards Doha to attend the FIFA World Cup 2022 and to support France's football national team, stand near the treasury site in the ancient city of Petra, during their stop in Jordan October 17, 2022. REUTERS / Alaa Al Sukhni

The pair are covering about 120km a day and will head from Jordan to Saudi Arabia, on the way to Doha.

The French cyclists take in the sights of Petra. They said tackling different terrains on the three-month long trip is a formidable task.

They hope to arrive ahead of France's opening game against Australia on November 22, and are optimistic about their country's prospects in Qatar.

"Gabriel and I, we would not be on our bicycles at the moment in Jordan if we did not think that France would win the World Cup," Mr Balamissa said.

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