Qatar residents will be able to rent out their homes and rooms to accommodate World Cup fans in a bid to ease accommodation problems for the football tournament, which starts on November 20.
Until now, World Cup ticket holders could only book accommodation through the official Qatar Accommodation Agency (QAA), with options including hotels, fan villages, official desert camps, two cruise ships, villas and apartments.
Speaking on Thursday at Lusail Stadium, the venue for the World Cup final on December 18, Yasir Al Jamal, Director General of the Special Committee for the World Cup, said ticket holders are entitled to apply their Fan ID or Haya Card with the booking. From a third party source, there is no need to make a reservation from QAA or provide details about friends and family staying in the country.
"We did this to allow more people to get Haya cards," Jamal said. "Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring fair and affordable prices for fans, starting at $80, which can change based on the demand we see from fans."
Given the expected influx of fans and tourists, there are concerns that Qatar may not be able to provide adequate accommodation for visitors, especially those without tickets, who want to enjoy the World Cup and the country's culture in various areas, including the general public, away from the stadiums. Regions and Fan Zones.
Residents have also complained of being evicted from their homes, which landlords say is a move to make way for visiting fans during the tournament.
According to Omar Al-Jaber, Executive Director of Lodging at SC, “Both cruise ships will have more than 4,000 rooms. There will be fan villages at four different locations. Accommodation is also available through vacation homes, where visitors have the option of staying with friends and family.
