Qatar is now just days away from another momentous milestone on the road to 2022, as the finishing touches are being made to open Al Wakrah Stadium for the 2019 Amir Cup final on Thursday.
The stadium – the second FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue to be opened – is the first arena to be completed from scratch, and will host the final between Al Sadd and Al Duhail.
Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required for Qatar 2022, jointly announced that the 40,000-capacity venue would host the final during a press conference at Al Bidda Tower in April.
Following Al Sadd’s 2-0 semi-final victory against Al Rayyan, and his recent announcement that the 2018-19 season will be his last domestic match as a player, the match also takes on added significance as it will be the final time legendary midfielder and SC Ambassador Xavi Hernández takes to the field.
There will be pre-match activities at 10:00pm to enhance the fan experience, before the game kicks off at 10:30pm. The match will be attended by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Commenting on the upcoming final, Khalid Mubarak al-Kuwari, the QFA’s Director of Marketing & Communications, said: “We are honoured and excited that the final is nearly upon us.
“We congratulate Al Sadd and Al Duhail for qualifying for the final after a hard-fought competition. It will be an honour to watch two great teams go head-to-head in a stadium which will be the focus of the world’s attention in 2022.
“We are looking forward to sampling the incredible atmosphere during the final. This is a match – and occasion – not to miss.”
Jassim al-Jassim, the SC’s Head of Venues Operations, added: “I would like to thank the thousands of people and numerous stakeholders that have worked tirelessly to prepare Al Wakrah Stadium for this match. It has been a feat of collaboration, organisation and determination to get this magnificent stadium ready for inauguration.”
He continued: “I am certain that in 2022 Al Wakrah Stadium will be one of the most iconic venues at the World Cup, and it gives us all a sense of great pride to be opening the second Qatar 2022 stadium with three-and-a-half years to go. I look forward to working together with all our stakeholders, friends and colleagues over the coming years to enjoy many more momentous occasions.”
Tickets for this year’s final are still available to buy, either online at tickets.qfa.qa or from a host of outlets across the country, including Villagio Mall, Mall of Qatar, Doha Festival City, City Center, Souq Waqif and Ezdan Mall, Al Wakrah.
Al Sadd captain Xavi will be playing his last domestic match when he takes the field against Al Duhail in the Amir Cup final on Thursday.
