Qatar will have fewer than 50,000 hotel rooms ready by next November, according to estimates by Qatar Tourism, a government body that sets strategy and regulates tourism. And not all hotel rooms will be available to fans as many have been reserved for players and FIFA officials, hotel sources said.

With 32 teams playing in the group stage for 12 days, Qatar anticipates 559,000 visitors flying to the Gulf state and a peak of 276,000 ticket holders from 27-to-28 November, who will also require an estimate of 129,000 rooms.