Sport
Qatar adds third ‘floating hotel’ for incoming World Cup fans
World Cup organizers in Qatar have hired a third cruise ship to function as a floating hotel for fans visiting the Gulf state during the upcoming World Cup, Geneva-based MSC Cruises announced on Monday.
The agreement adds much-needed rooms for more than 1 million visitors expected to flock to Qatar for the biggest sporting event in the world, Doha News reported.
This agreement comes six weeks ahead of kick off for the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on November 20 at the Al Bayt stadium.
The 1,075-cabin MSC Opera will be available from November 19 to Devember 19, Associated Press (AP) reported.
Prices for the Opera were posted on the MSC website on Monday, with a two-night minimum stay starting at $470 per person per night during the group stage.
The cheapest rooms on MSC Opera cost $360 during the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, and $220 during the final week.
Two more giant cruise ships will also serve as floating hotels during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, both of which are set to reach Doha Port on November 10 and 14, Qatar officials announced in August.
Both cruise ships, with a combined capacity of 4,000 rooms, can accommodate up to 9,400 people. The cruise ship hotels will offer a variety of cabin options, from traditional and ocean-view cabins to balcony cabins and luxurious suites.
Afghanistan’s national football team went down 2-1 to Myanmar in their first match of the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
The match was held on Tuesday at the stadium in Yangon, the capital of Myanmar.
The only goal for Afghanistan was scored in the 14th minute by Omid Popalzay.
Afghanistan is in Group E along with Myanmar, Pakistan, and Syria.
The national team’s next match will be on June 10 against Syria. The venue is still to be decided.
Afghanistan’s national beach soccer team was defeated 6-4 by Indonesia in their third and final match of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
The match took place on Tuesday in Thailand.
In their first and second games, Afghanistan lost to the United Arab Emirates and Iran, respectively.
Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee this week finalized the Afghanistan National U19 team squad for the upcoming Youth ODI Series against Nepal, as well as the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers scheduled for next month in Nepal.
The selection process for the National U19 Team included rigorous training and preparation camps over the past five months.
The final phase of the team’s training concluded in Khost province, where the top 19 players engaged in skill development, fitness training, and multiple practice matches.
The squad is set to depart for Nepal later this month, where they will meet the home U19 side in three Youth ODIs from April 3 to 9 in Mulpani.
The team will then proceed to the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers, which will take place from April 13 to 19 in the same country.
The Future Stars are scheduled to face Oman, Hong Kong, the UAE, and the host nation Nepal in a round-robin format.
The team that finishes at the top of the table will qualify for the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Interim Chief Selector, Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil: “Qualification for the U19 World Cup is our ultimate goal. Keeping this in mind, we have prepared our squad through rigorous training and multiple preparation phases, which helped us finalize the 17-man squad.
“The boys have shown great enthusiasm and readiness to perform at the international level, and we are confident that they will do well in both events.”
Afghanistan Squad for the Nepal Youth ODI Series and the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers: Mehboob Khan (Captain & Wicket-Keeper), Khalid Ahmadzai (WK), Uzair Khan, Faisal Khan, Barakatullah Ibrahimzai, Nazeef Amiri, Aziz Miakhil, Wahidullah Zadran, Zaitullah Shaheen, Hafeez Zadran, Abdul Aziz Khan, Nasratullah Nooristani, Khatir Stanikzai, Salam Khan, Izat Noor Shirzad, Kamal Khan and Rohullah Arab.
Tahawol: Overview of recent developments in Türkiye
Azizi and Zhao Xing discuss increasing Afghanistan’s exports to China
Saar: Discussion on US tariffs against some countries
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Myanmar defeat Afghanistan 2-1
Dozens of needy families in Ghazni get much needed food aid from Bayat Foundation
Next German chancellor: We need to learn from experience in Afghanistan
Afghanistan cricket team will never be taken lightly again: Trott
Floods in Farah and Kandahar claim the lives of 29 people
Torkham border closure leaves Afghans stranded
Saudi Arabia confirms $500 million pledge to Afghanistan, Pakistan polio campaign
Tahawol: Overview of recent developments in Türkiye
Saar: Discussion on US tariffs against some countries
Saar: US position on Iran’s nuclear program discussed
Tahawol: Discussion on Turkey protests and arrests
Saar: Fate of Ukraine war discussed
-
Latest News5 days agoPakistan once again urges IEA to act against militants
-
Sport4 days agoAFC Beach Soccer: UAE thrash Afghanistan 7-1 in opener
-
Regional5 days agoAt least 91 killed in Gaza as Israel abandons ceasefire, orders evacuations
-
Latest News4 days agoAmerican freed by IEA reunited with wife, former cellmate, in US
-
Regional4 days agoIran’s leader says Yemen’s Houthis act independently, warns against US action
-
Latest News4 days agoBayat Foundation delivers Ramadan aid to needy families in Bamyan
-
International Sports3 days agoBoxing legend George Foreman dies at 76
-
Latest News3 days agoEighteen injured after dispute between two brothers in Helmand