Qatar's efforts to bolster its hotel and transportation infrastructure in preparation for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022 have gained pace in recent weeks as several new hotels were opened and new details emerged about the opening of the country's new airport. Qatar's winning bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 has kicked off a wave of infrastructure projects and a rush by hotels to open new properties in the Gulf state. The country is expected to spend up to $100bn over the next five years to prepare and deliver the infrastructure needed to host the World Cup, including stadiums and a new airport. New details have emerged about the progress of these initiatives, with the head of Qatar Airways saying recently that the new Doha International Airport will officially open on December 12. The airport, which is set for a further expansion that will bring its total cost to $17.5bn, will be the world's first airport built specifically for the Airbus double-decker A380. Government officials also recently announced that drilling work for Qatar's Doha Metro will start at the beginning of 2013. The $41bn project will include four rail lines and will link stadiums for the World Cup.
