The curse of the World Cup Golden Ball winners 2:37
(CNN) --
Qatar is expected to receive a sizable contingent of guests this winter as it becomes the smallest nation ever to host one of the world's biggest sporting events: the FIFA World Cup.
The Gulf nation predicts that more than a million fans will travel to Doha during the World Cup, which is about 37% of its population of 2.7 million.
The country is only about 4,400 square kilometers, roughly the size of Jamaica.
Previous hosts of the tournament have faced a number of logistical challenges in managing the large number of traveling fans, from transportation to accommodation.
The small size of the country may have some advantages, but the challenges are also many.
There are already reports of rising fees and a lack of proper accommodation.
For example, there are 21 properties available on online travel agency Booking.com for the first three nights of the tournament, with prices starting at $1,000 and going up to an impressive $51,000.
However, this is not uncommon.
Reports from 2006 claim that hotel prices skyrocketed in Berlin and Frankfurt when Germany hosted the tournament.
Before hosting the 2010 edition, South Africa was plagued by reports of unfinished training camps, while hotels were accused of jacking up prices during the World Cup period.
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"Our goal has always been to offer fair and reasonable prices to visiting fans," a spokesperson for Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL) told CNN.
"We work closely with key stakeholders to ensure affordable prices on all types of accommodation."
Host countries have often found innovative ways to accommodate fans, and Qatar is no different.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, residents of iconic favelas opened their doors to tourists, renting out beds, rooms, and even entire houses.
Some travelers got creative and opted to stay in sex motels normally reserved for Brazilians looking to hook up after a night on the town.
This is what Qatar has thought of to accommodate the possible millions of football fans.
If You Can't Build Them, Tie Them Down: Luxury Cruise Ships
Two luxury cruise ships will be moored in the port of Doha throughout the World Cup.
Between the two they have nine swimming pools, 3,898 cabins, 45 bars and 10 luxury restaurants.
Other facilities include a spa, tennis courts and the world's largest dry slide at sea.
Worried about having to look your best for a group stage match between Japan and Costa Rica?
Fear not, you will have access to a hairdresser and a beauty salon.
The boats are 10 minutes from downtown Doha, but staying in one of the spacious cabins won't be cheap.
Its price ranges between US$605 and US$2,779 per night, which is a bargain compared to other options available to passengers, considering that it includes a buffet breakfast.
A home away from home: apartments and villas
The Qatar Accommodation Agency, the official accommodation provider for the event, aims to have between 100,000 and 130,000 rooms available on any given night of the 28-day tournament.
There are already listings for apartments and villas with one to six bedrooms, with prices ranging from $84 to $875 a night.
Most are easily accessible by public transportation, and the villas are fully equipped with kitchens, laundry facilities, swimming pools, and gyms.
This accommodation, like others provided by the Accommodation Agency, will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis through a staggered release in line with FIFA's ticketing phases or in packages provided by Qatar Airways.
In addition to official accommodation, it will offer an Airbnb-like booking platform for residents to rent out their homes to traveling fans.
By applying for a license from Qatar Tourism, residents or building owners will also be able to list their apartments on other portals, such as Airbnb.
Staying in Festival Mode: The Hobbyist Villages
Ticket holders can buy accommodation in so-called hobby villages, described as "informal cabin and camping-type accommodations".
At $207 a night, these small, basic converted cabins are pricey, offering only a kettle, fridge and two bottles of water a day.
They are spread out on the outskirts of Doha, the furthest being 40 km from the airport.
There will be various dining and entertainment options on site, but no details have been released yet.
The camping option is not yet available on the official accommodation website, but SC accommodation chief Omar Al-Jaber has said he plans to pitch 1,000 "Bedouin-style" tents in the desert during the tournament.
Around 200 of them will be classified as "luxury" and will cost an "expensive" price, providing an "authentic" experience to fans, Al-Jaber told Reuters.
They will be air-conditioned to protect fans from the cold desert nights and sweltering heat in the mornings.
If all else fails, sleep in another country
Accommodation in Qatar is expected to be so limited that the country has also opted to host fans in neighboring nations and fly them back and forth on short flights every day.
Qatar Airways announced in May that it had teamed up with regional carriers to launch an additional 160 daily round-trip flights at "competitive prices" bringing fans from Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh.
Luggage will not be checked in to speed up transfers and specific transport services will be available to take fans from the airport to the stadiums.
It will also be possible to drive from cities such as Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, all less than seven hours away.