Six years from now, fans will be arriving in Qatar for opening round matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, as the tournament kicks off on 21 November 2022. Eight of the proposed host venues for those matches are currently in different stages of construction, with works advancing rapidly at the different sites for the first FIFA World Cup™ tournament to be held in the Middle East.
The stadiums have been designed by some of the world’s leading architects. The venues will be varied in shape and sizes; each will reflect a different aspect of Qatari culture, but they have all been designed with three priorities in mind: access and comfort, sustainability and post-tournament legacy. Sc.qa/en takes a look at the on-going progress in the delivery of the different proposed host venues across Qatar.
Khalifa International Stadium
Qatar’s historic Khalifa International Stadium will be the first 2022 FIFA World Cup™ proposed host venue to be completed in the first quarter of 2017. Construction is moving ahead rapidly, with the external cladding and LED screens coming up around the exterior of the venue, making it visible what the stadium will look like by next year.
The complex system of cabling for the roof of the stadium has also been completed, with the canopy roof to be placed atop and fixed to the cabling in the coming weeks. The completion of the roof will start the countdown towards the finalisation of the renovation and upgrading works at the proposed host venue for matches through to the quarter-finals.
Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City
The 60,000-seat stadium is the future home of Al Khor Sports Club, and is a proposed host venue up to the semi-final matches. The stadium’s design mirrors the Bedouin tents often used in the region that are a symbol of Qatari hospitality. Construction at Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City is in full swing with the successful installation of elements of the main structure, as well as ongoing works on access tunnels to the stadium and bridges leading up to the venue.
The stadium will also have a retractable roof which will be able to close in just 20 minutes, allowing for optimal playing conditions. Just a short walk away from the site, the venue a workers’ accommodation has been completed; built according to the SC Workers’ Welfare Standards.
Qatar Foundation Stadium
The stadium located in Doha’s Education City is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. The venue will host fixtures up to the quarter-final stage during the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. Further bulk excavation works of a total volume of 650,000 cubic meters to formation level, and implementation of a dewatering system for the next main-package contractor have been completed in the recent months.
By the end of 2016, the main-works contractor will be fully mobilised on site, progressing with the schematic design, finishing the foundation works and securing a substantial portion of the structural steel for the super structure.
Al Wakrah Stadium
At Al Wakrah Stadium, a 40,000-seater venue that will host matches up to the quarter-final stage, the main contractor has come on board and is currently preparing the stadium design to be issued for construction, with the foundation works progressing well. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the venue is inspired by traditional dhow boats used in areas in fishing towns like Al Wakrah.
Three cranes have been installed within the stadium bowl on site and works are advancing to prepare for the start of construction above ground on the superstructure before the end of 2016. A total of six 60-tonne cranes will be working on site, in order to bring the structure of the stadium up from the ground.
Al Rayyan Stadium
The proposed host venue up to the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ will be the new home of current Qatar Stars League champions Al Rayyan Club. Situated within a short walking distance from a Doha Metro station, and next to the new Mall of Qatar, once complete the stadium will provide the local community with a sporting hub.
The first concrete was recently poured on the area of the West Stand of the stadium, with the Main Contractor continuing to advance on the construction of the 40,000 seater stadium inspired by the area’s traditions and culture. Over 100,000 m3 of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel will be used during this phase of the project.
Lusail Stadium
Construction on the venue of the Opening and Final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, the 80,000-seater Lusail Stadium, is also progressing well. The stadium placed within Lusail City is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. With the schematic design ongoing, early works have been completed and the project team has relocated to the site. The venue is 12 kilometres north of Doha’s West Bay.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
The location of the seventh stadium venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ was announced as the Ras Abu Aboud area of Doha, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Qatar winning the bid to host the tournament, which was commemorated on 2 December 2015.
The 40,000-seat stadium will bring the ‘design for legacy’ concept onto the world stage as one of the first sports venues ever designed from the beginning with the ability to transform into a successful and dynamic mixed-use urban neighbourhood after the tournament. The site is currently seeing early works underway.
Al Thumama Stadium
The eighth proposed host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, which will be located in Al Thumama. Early works are currently underway at the venue in preparation for the main construction, with levelling and grading works being undertaken. The stadium in Al Thumama will have a capacity of 40,000 seats and host matches up to the quarter-finals stage. In legacy mode, the stadium capacity will be reduced to a maximum of 20,000 seats.
