In a race against time, work continues on building stadiums and infrastructure projects related to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, bypassing the scheduled timetables, at a time when 600 days separate us from the kick-off of the first edition of the World Cup in the Arab world and the Middle East.
After Qatar announced the readiness of 4 stadiums out of 8, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy is preparing to open 3 other stadiums before the end of this year, namely Al Bayt, Al Thumama and Ras Abu Aboud stadiums, and is preparing to launch Lusail Stadium early next year.
The first whistle of the World Cup matches will start on November 21, 2022, to continue for 28 days, and conclude with the final on December 18, coinciding with Qatar's National Day, and Al Bayt Stadium will witness the opening match of the World Cup, while Lusail Stadium will host the final match. .
In the following lines, we review a glimpse of the eight stadiums of the tournament, which is only 600 days away from its first matches.
Khalifa International Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to the city center of Doha: 11 kilometers.
Opening: 2017.
Khalifa International Stadium became the first stadium ready to host the 2022 World Cup, after hosting the Emir Cup Final on May 19, 2017, after a comprehensive development process.
The stadium hosts 8 matches in the World Cup from the group stage until the final price and the third-place match.
South Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to Doha city center: 23 km.
Opening: 2019.
The first stadium to be fully constructed to host the World Cup Qatar, and announced its readiness for the World Cup on May 16, 2019 during the Emir Cup final, is located in Al-Wakrah, and its design was inspired by the sails of traditional boats;
To reflect the history of Al Wakrah, which was connected to the sea.
It is scheduled to host 7 World Cup matches from the group stage to the final price, and the innovative cooling technology and retractable roof ensure the use of the stadium throughout the months of the year.
Education City Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to the city center of Doha: 13 kilometers.
Opening: 2020.
The stadium, known as the "jewel of the desert", was announced on June 15, 2020, during a digital event honoring the frontline workers to combat the spread of COVID-19 around the world.
The stadium is located in Education City, which hosts the headquarters of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is the destination of knowledge and innovation in Qatar, and includes pioneering educational and research facilities, and is scheduled to host 8 matches in the World Cup from the group stage until the quarter-finals.
Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to the city center of Doha: 22 km.
Opening: 2020.
Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium is the latest World Cup stadium that was unveiled, as it was announced its readiness when, on December 18, 2020, it hosted the Prince's Cup final between Al-Arabi and Al-Sadd.
The stadium features an external façade that includes symbols, shapes and elements that reflect some aspects of life and culture in Qatar, and it hosts 7 matches in the World Cup from the group stage to the final price, and becomes the headquarters of Al Rayyan Sports Club after the end of the World Cup.
Home stadium
Fan of energy: 60,000 fans.
Distance to the city center of Doha: 46 km.
Al-Bayt Stadium will host the opening match of the 2022 World Cup, and in its design it simulates the house of poetry or the tent that the Bedouins inhabited in the past, and in that it embodies the nobility and hospitality that the Arabs have known since ancient times, and one of the most important features of the home stadium is its fully retractable roof, and the area surrounding the stadium also includes 400 One thousand square meters of green space, which will benefit the members of the community of Al Khor City, and it is scheduled to host 9 matches from the group stage until the semi-finals.
Construction work update: The structure of the stadium was completed, in addition to the lawn flooring, in record time.
At the beginning of this year, he achieved a milestone in the field of sustainability, after receiving the 5-star GSAS certificate.
Al Thumama Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to Doha city center: 12 km.
With its unique design inspired by the "Al-Qahfiya", the traditional hat worn by men in the Arab world, Al-Thumama Stadium celebrates the culture and traditions of the Arab region.
The design of this World Cup icon was created by the Qatari architect, Ibrahim Al-Jaidah, to become the first FIFA World Cup stadium in Qatar.
During the World Cup, the stadium will host 8 matches from the group stage until the quarter-finals.
Construction work developments: The roof, exterior façade, and terraces installation have been completed, in addition to extending the playground with grass and planting trees in the surrounding area.
Seat installation work, some plumbing and finishing work and mechanical and electrical work are nearing completion.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
Fan of energy: 40,000 fans.
Distance to Doha city center: 7 kilometers.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is the first fully dismantled Mondiale stadium in the history of the competition, which makes it a distinct icon in the field of sustainable stadium development and design.
The stadium will be constructed using shipping containers and other construction units that can be dismantled after the curtain falls on the World Cup.
During the 2022 World Cup, the stadium will host 7 matches from the group stage until the final price.
Construction work developments: The Ras Abu Aboud stadium is being constructed using 974 shipping containers. All containers, even those of the power station, have been received and installed.
In addition, all the steel units for the stadium structure, including the tension rods, have been received and installed, with the near completion of the installation work for all the seats in the stadium, plumbing, finishing and some mechanical and engineering works, and external works are continuing in the surrounding area.
Lusail Stadium
Fan of energy: 80,000 fans.
Distance to Doha city center: 20 km.
Lusail Stadium, the largest stadium in the 2022 World Cup, embodies the ambition and aspiration of the State of Qatar to introduce the whole world to the authentic Arab culture and the heritage of the region.
This stadium's unique design is inspired by the intertwining of light and shade that characterizes the traditional Arab lighthouse or lantern, and its structure and façade reflect the delicate inscriptions on food bowls, utensils, and other artifacts that were found throughout the Arab and Islamic world during the rise of civilization in the region.
Lusail Stadium is located in the heart of the modern city of Lusail in Qatar, which is a modern city that is being built on the latest model, and has been designed to meet the needs of the population, and Lusail Stadium hosts 10 matches, including the World Cup Final.
Developments in construction work: The concrete and steel works have been completed, the lifting of the roof structure has been completed, the process of installing bridges, systems and services suspended from the ceiling has also begun, and the installation of the roof fabric will soon begin from the top.
The entire building was closed by installing the doors and glass fronts in the guest and VIP suites and lounges, and operating the energy and air conditioning systems.
The metal architectural façades are due to be completed within a few days, giving the stadium its distinctive exterior appearance.
In addition, the mechanical, plumbing and interior finishing works are nearing completion, and then the process of operating and testing all building systems begins to ensure their integrity and performance as required.