The cost of travelling to Japan will restrict Saudi Arabia to a few hundred supporters during the World Cup.

Average Saudis are not as affluent as they once were. Unemployment is estimated at 20 per cent, and annual per capita income has fallen from over $26,000 two decades ago to under $7,000.

The Saudi football federation is not organising flights for fans, although a small number of travel agents are organising tours. "We have full packages ranging from $2,500 for the first two games only, to $3,600 to watch the first round's three fixtures," Fahd Mohammad of Al-Tayyar Travels said.

So far, 150 people have booked with the agency for the Group E meeting with Ireland on June 11th.