The merger creates Abu Dhabi’s largest integrated staff accommodation company.

Passion for football in the Middle East runs deep, but a week before the start of the World Cup, the fervor is not universal as high costs are keeping many MENA fans away.

There are at least 25,000 rooms free even during the peak days of the World Cup, expected between November 24 and November 28, organizing committee accommodation director Omar Al-Jaber told a press conference.

Costs soar for the Qatari capital's limited accommodation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said there were five million requests for tickets for the final at the 80,000-seat Lusail stadium, indicating feverish demand for the first World Cup in the Middle East.

The emirate attracted 418 greenfield FDI projects, Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said. It ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and third globally, up from fourth place last year, in FDI capital inflows.