World Cup stadiums begin to take shape across Qatar

Atthe heart of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the magnificent stadiums –and 2017 was another year of incredible progress. Over the past 12months the first 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium to be completed opened itsdoors to the public, another two designs were revealed and visibleadvancements were made at every site. Here we take a look at theprogress made at every proposed venue over the past year. KhalifaInternational Stadium became the first proposed 2022 FIFA World Cuptournament venue to open in May last year. The 40,000 capacity stadiumwas officially opened by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamadal-Thani, ahead of the Emir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan.Sadd rallied from a goal down to win 2-1 in an exciting final, which waswatched by a capacity crowd close to 48,000 and guests and included theFIFA President Gianni Infantino as one of the guests.Also in 2017,the stadium became the first venue in the world to officially receivethe 4-star Global Sustainability Assessment System certification. Thestadium, which will host matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022,is currently being prepared to host the 2019 World AthleticsChampionships.Work at Al Wakrah Stadium, which was designed by thelate Zaha Hadid, continues apace. Bespoke roof pillars have beeninstalled, while concrete pouring has been completed. The 40,000capacity stadium, which will host matches up to the quarter-finals stagein 2022, is due to open this year.The roof is currently beinginstalled at Al Bayt Stadium-Al Khor City – a 60,000 capacity venuewhich will host matches up to the semi-finals stage in 2022. The stadiumalso reached a sustainability milestone in 2017 after receiving topmarks in the Global Sustainability Assessment System’s culture andheritage section. Al Bayt Stadium-Al Khor City is due to be completed bythe end of 2018.Workers at the Al Rayyan Stadium construction siterecently reached 5 million man hours without suffering a lost-timeaccident. Also in 2017, the stadium seating design was revealed.Meanwhile, on-site, sub and substructure works are in progress andprecinct infrastructure works have begun. Due to be completed in 2019,the 40,000 capacity venue will host matches up to the quarter-finalsstage in 2022.Progress continues to be made at our ‘Diamond in theDesert’ – Qatar Foundation Stadium. More than 80% of concrete has beenpoured at the construction site in Education City. Within the precinct,the golf course has been completed and is due to open in 2019. Designedby Fenwick Iribarren Architects, Qatar Foundation will have a capacityof 40,000 and host matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022.Theproposed design for Al Thumama Stadium was revealed in August. Inspiredby the gahfiya headdress worn by men across the region, the design hascaptured the imagination of millions. Due to open in 2020, Al ThumamaStadium will have a capacity of 40,000 and host matches up to thequarter-finals stage.The innovative design for Ras Abu AboudStadium, the first fully demountable FIFA World Cup tournament venue,was unveiled in November. Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, this40,000 capacity stadium will be built using the shipping containerswhich transported materials for its construction. Overlooking thestunning Doha Corniche and West Bay skyline, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium willhost matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022.Early works arecontinuing at the Lusail Stadium site, 15km north of Doha. Earlier thisyear it was announced that a Qatar-China joint venture (HBK ContractingCompany and China Railway Construction Corporation) had been chosen asthe main contractor for the stadium. Due to open in 2020, Lusail Stadiumwill host the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, opening game and matchesthroughout the tournament. The design for Lusail Stadium is due to beunveiled in early 2018. (SC.qa)