Qatar 2022: What can't be done 3:36
Doha, Qatar (CNN) --
As fans pour into Qatar, they are understandably in vacation mode as they wait for the World Cup in the desert.
But where is the best option to stay in a country that is geographically on a peninsula smaller than Connecticut and is the smallest World Cup host in history?
The fight over accommodation is likely to intensify as Qatar will host an estimated 1.5 million fans during the month-long tournament, which begins on November 20.
This is how Qatar has changed in the last 50 years: from desert without people to futuristic cities
Jimmy and Kennis Leung were among the first fans to arrive at the Fan Village Cabins Free Zone, one of the largest sites available to World Cup fans, and they registered on Thursday.
"They've built this in a desert," Jimmy told CNN Sport, as he surveyed his accommodation space, and was impressed.
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“It is too expensive to stay in a hotel or AirBnB in Doha, so this was a great option,” he added.
The Free Zone fan village is about a 20-minute metro ride from central Doha, but right now it feels like stepping into a dystopian world.
There's very little in town—one or two building sites and a main road—so staff quickly direct you to reception, which is a 10-minute walk across a large car park.
There are endless rows of portable booths, arranged in different colors and mapped in alphabetical order, stretching off into the distance, with vast gazebos containing hundreds of empty tables and chairs.
Basketball courts, outdoor gyms and a huge TV screen are scattered throughout the complex where fans can play and relax.
When CNN visited the venue on Friday, there were only a handful of fans milling around, but many more are expected over the course of the tournament.
Living in a shipping container, World Cup style.
Ken Satomi/AP
"Hup Holland Hup" ("Go Holland Go")... the Leungs are from Hong Kong and have come to watch the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Navigation is also proving a bit problematic: the Leungs admit to getting lost on the seemingly endless makeshift paths that connect the village.
However, there are electric scooters to get around and the staff will even drive you to your door in a golf cart.
The Leungs work in media and traveled from Hong Kong to watch their favorite team, the Netherlands, at Qatar 2022.
“It's very quiet right now, but there are food options and the rooms are nice, but a little small,” adds Kennis.
As fans like the Leungs struggled to find accommodation in Qatar on Friday, they received news that world soccer's governing body, FIFA, had made a U-turn by confirming that no alcohol will be sold in the eight stadiums that will host the 64 tournament matches.
"ecological farm"
For those fans on a budget who can't afford what hotels offer, eight villas offer "casual and cabin-style camping" options.
However, some World Cup visitors were less impressed with what was on offer.
“There are so many cabins and containers and there is a big screen where we can all watch the games together but the accommodation, well… what can I say?”
China's Fei Peng, who is here to watch more than 30 World Cup games, told CNN Sport.
“This is the best option we can afford.
It's so expensive in Doha that we can't expect more from the place."
A night in the Free Zone Fan Village Cabin starts at $207 per night, according to the Official Qatar World Cup Accommodation Agency, but cheaper options can be found in Caravan City, for $114 per night. night.
And if your heart is set on camping under the stars, a tent in Al Khor village is available for $423 per night.
If you're not on a tight budget, a cabin that describes itself as an "eco farm" will give you a more luxurious option for $1,023 a night, while a cruise stay will run you as low as $179.
The cabin container comes with beds and air conditioning.
Many fans are expected to stay in Qatar's neighboring countries, moving in and out of the Gulf state to attend matches.
Qatar Airways announced in May that it had partnered with regional airlines to offer an additional 160 daily round-trip flights at "competitive prices" that will transport fans from Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh.
There will be no baggage check facilities in order to expedite transfers and dedicated shuttle services will be made 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.
warm winter
Those who come to Doha will have to deal with the heat.
The tournament was moved to the winter months due to the scorching summer temperatures: the average high in Doha in the second half of November is around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), which is much better than in July, when the World Cup would normally conclude, since on those dates the average high temperature is about 42 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit).
Even in winter, heat consumes energy if you come from a colder climate.
Walk too much, too fast, and you'll soon find yourself drenched in sweat and in need of hydration.
Shade is king and the tournament staff, spread across Doha, are quick to advise you to stay out of direct sunlight.
The heat tends to subside a bit, though not much, in the afternoons, although the nights are humid and sticky.
Fortunately, Doha is fully air-conditioned inside the stadiums and the white-walled architecture will also help divert some of the intensity of the heat.
With just two days to go until the first match, the nation is putting the finishing touches on its plans as it prepares for a World Cup like no other.
Amy Woodyatt and Eoin McSweeney contributed to this reporting.
World Cup Qatar 2022
