Qatar will charter cruiseliners to help accommodate 2022 World Cup football fans, as the Gulf nation braces for an expected one million visitors.
Fans of all 32 teams at the tournament will effectively stay in the same city, raising questions over how a country of 2.7 million people can accommodate them and keep them entertained.
The local organising committee has signed an agreement with MSC Cruises to charter two liners with a combined capacity of 4000 cabins, which will be used as floating hotels for fans.
The committee has promised enough accommodation for everyone and that alcohol - currently only obtainable at a handful of places at prohibitive prices - would be made more widely available.
The committee said the ships would berth at Doha Port during the month-long tournament.
"Chartering cruiseliners for fans has long been part of Qatar's accommodation strategy, with the country keen to offer sustainable solutions," said the committee, which did not clarify whether alcohol would be available on board.
The committee said other accommodation options would include apartments and fan villages in the desert, as well as hotels.
Reuters
