• Al Thumama stadium design based on the traditional gahfiya headpiece worn by men across the Arab world • Stadium designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, launched the design of Al Thumama Stadium, the sixth 2022 FIFA World Cup venue design the SC has revealed. Al Thumama Stadium is one of seven venues currently under construction across Qatar, with the Khalifa International Stadium having been completed and inaugurated in May in Doha. Based on the gahfiya headdress worn by men across the Arab world, an essential component of traditional Arab dress, Al Thumama’s distinct design is steeped in tradition and history and will resonate across the Arab world. The stadium is being designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, who is also behind Qatar Museum s Fire Station gallery and Doha’s new Ministry of Interior building, and comes from the Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), the oldest architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar.
How the stadium will look like, from insideJaidah also worked on the previous headquarters for Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, printed on the Qatari one hundred riyal note. Speaking on the launch of the new stadium design, Hassan al-Thawadi, SC Secretary General, said: With just over five years to go until Qatar opens the doors of the Middle East to the world, this symbolic design embodies everything that unites us as Arabs and Muslims, and is a fitting tribute to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East.”He added: “Given its cultural and historical relevance, I am confident that, once completed, Al Thumama Stadium will become a favourite among the regions sports fans and a sporting landmark that demonstrates to future generations just how unique the Qatar World Cup will be.” Al Thumama Stadium is set for completion in 2020 and will seat 40,000 spectators and host matches up to the quarter-final stage when the FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 21, 2022. The innovative arena is being built by a Qatar-Turkey joint venture (JV) between AlJaber Engineering and Turkey‘s largest construction company, Tekfen, with enabling works successfully completed in 2016. Architectural Design Consultant Heerim, who recently worked on the stunning Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan, will also be working on the stadium. Discussing his design for the latest FIFA World Cup stadium, architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah said: “The reveal of Al Thumama Stadium design comes with immense pride in having contributed to the delivery of the first World Cup in the history of Qatar and the region. The inspiration behind the design comes in line with Qatar's hosting promise that this World Cup will be one for the region to celebrate. He added: “I believe it will be a stadium design that resonates with the Arab community, and we are extremely proud to have designed this innovative venue. The stadium is one of the most centrally located venues out of the eight being constructed for the tournament, nestled in the busy residential Doha suburb of Al Thumama, located just 6km south of Dohatarget="_blank"'>