The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is just six weeks out, but accommodations are still being made, as organizers have hired a third cruise ship to operate as a hotel for the tournament.
With 1,075 cabins, MSC Cruises will provide another ship between Nov. 19 and Dec. 19. The other two ships were part of a 2019 deal between the Qatari government and MSC. The World Cup begins Nov. 20 and ends Dec. 18.
- Ship-goers will have to stay at least two nights.
- Daily prices for the third ship start at $470 per person during the group stage and drop to $220 during the final week.
About 1.2 million international visitors are expected, but Qatar Tourism only reported 31,123 hotel rooms available earlier this year. Qatar’s World Cup organizers said that FIFA booked 80% of available rooms for players, guests, and officials during the tournament.
Qatar Airways and flydubai will reportedly operate around 54 flights per day between Qatar and Dubai, which has 115,000 hotel rooms.
Fan Ban
Those looking for accommodations won’t have to compete with more than 1,300 fans from England and Wales who are banned from the World Cup due to past issues with soccer-related violence.
The U.K.’s Home Office has warned of a possible six months in prison for defying the ban.
