Qatar has called up hundreds of civilians, including diplomats summoned back from overseas, for mandatory military service operating security checkpoints at World Cup stadiums, according to sources.

The deployment of conscripts, some of whom would normally defer national service because their work is considered vital, highlights the logistical challenge faced by the tiny Gulf state hosting one of the world’s biggest sports tournaments.

The conscripts are training to manage stadium security queues, frisk fans and detect contraband like alcohol, drugs or weapons concealed in ponytails, jacket linings or even false bellies, according to training materials.

Qatar has a population of 2.8 million – of which barely 380,000 are Qatari nationals – and expects an influx of 1.2 million visitors for the tournament.

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It already has an agreement with Turkey, which is supplying 3000 riot police for soccer’s showpiece event.

In early September, the civilians were ordered to report for pre-dawn duty at the national service camp north of the capital Doha, according to order papers seen by Reuters, less than three months before the 29-day tournament kicks off.

The civilians were told they had been called up to assist with the World Cup and that it was their “patriotic duty” to do so, a source said.

“Most people are there because they have to be – they don’t want to get in trouble,” the source said.

Some volunteers are training alongside the conscripted force, according to the source, who has direct knowledge of the plan and the training.

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Asked for comment, a Qatari government official said in a statement Qatar’s national service program would continue as normal during the World Cup.

“Recruits will provide additional support … just as they do every year at major public events, such as the National Day celebrations,” the statement said.

Since 2014, Qatari men aged between 18 and 35 have trained with the military for at least four months as part of mandatory national service introduced by the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Dodging the duty can incur a year in prison and a fine of 50,000 Qatari rials ($21,100).

Conscripts attend training sessions conducted by officials from the security division of Qatar’s World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the source said.

They are taught to approach fans with “positive body language, focus and a smile”, the source said.

They must also abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and avoid discriminating against fans on any basis, the source said.

The 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, built for the final, had its first near-capacity crowd earlier this month.

Fans leaving the stadium queued for hours for the metro and organisers ran out of water at halftime on a hot late-summer Gulf evening.

World Cup organisers intend to relax Qatar’s strict laws limiting the public sale of alcohol, and will allow beer to be served near stadiums a few hours before matches kick off.

The Socceroos face France, Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage of the competition, which runs from November 20-December 18.

-Reuters