Qatar to consent floating hotels for 2022 FIFA World Cup

Qatar to charter two cruise liners to accommodate visiting football fans during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Organizers announced that they had agreed with Swiss-based MSC Cruises for two of its 16 ships with a combined total of 4,000 cabins to be berthed in Doha Port during the tournament.

According to a statement, the vessels, berthed at the Doha port, will act as floating hotels during the tournament.

Chartering cruise liners for fans has long been part of Qatar´s accommodation strategy, with the country keen to offer sustainable solutions for the month-long tournament, the statement said.

Under the agreement, the value of which was not given, the MSC Europa and MSC Poesia will be used to accommodate fans.

Construction for six other stadiums with advanced open-air cooling technology is also under way.

Earlier in October, the Gas-rich Qatar opened a new passenger terminal at Doha Port as it seeks to increase the number of cruise ships calling in the Gulf state.

Authorities said the terminal will serve until the completion of a port expansion plan due in 2022.

Qatar expects to host some 1.5 million visitors during world football´s premier event.

The 32-team tournament will kick off on November 21, 2022, and will run until December 18.