Qatar has booked two MSC Cruises vessels to house fans during the football World Cup in 2022.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy signed the charter with the Swiss company, The Peninsula daily reported.

The vessels are the 200,000-gt newbuilding MSC Europa, due in 2022, and the 93,000-gt MSC Poesia (built 2008).

Europa will be the first LNG-powered vessel in MSC's cruise fleet.

The duo have a combined capacity of 4,000 cabins and will act as floating hotels during the tournament, berthed at Doha.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said: "We are delighted that Qatar has selected our ships to ensure that tourists who visit the country during the upcoming FIFA World Cup have high-end accommodation and services available to further enrich their experience.

"The tournament is one of the world's most popular events and this will be another opportunity for holidaymakers from across the globe converging on Doha to experience our ships and enjoy the unique international experience that only MSC Cruises can offer."