Designed to leave fans in awe, the stadia for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup are set be magnificent architectural models, boasting state-of-the-art design, technology, and facilities. Forget the Bird’s Nest from Beijing , Qatar has some truly remarkable stadiums for the world to see – and not only that, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to be the first to take environmental sustainability into consideration while planning for the grand event.
After the tournament is over, it’s planned to dismantle parts of the stadiums and send them to developing countries to make 22 new stadiums. Organizers for the World Cup 2022 say that the stadiums will be zero-carbon emitting and climate controlled, taking measures to reduce solar radiation and warm winds, and provide soft air-conditioning to create adequate climatic conditions – all are measures which have not been previously deployed on stadiums of this size.
The stadiums have been artfully designed to draw inspiration from the elements that surround it – from the land, to the ocean, desert, and sky – with each reflecting a different element of Qatari culture and tradition.
So, without further ado, here’s a look at the proposed eight stada that will the host the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup!
The Al- Bayt Stadium will be a marvel located in the northern city of Al Khor. Welcoming over 60,000 fans, it’s construction is being delivered by the Aspire Zone Foundation and takes its name from ‘Bayt Al-Shaar’ – the desert tents historically used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf region. Unique in every way, the stadium pays homage to the historic way of life with a giant tent structure engulfing the structure. Its design aims to remind present generations of the past values and lives of the people of the region, embracing a unique part of our region’s history, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. It will host group games all the way to the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Location: Al Khor
Capacity: 60,000
Completion Date: 4th quarter 2018
Architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah says the Al Thumama Stadium will be a symbol for all the Arab World to stand by and take pride in with its elegant expression of Qatari and GCC culture in its design. With a structure based on the gahfiya, the article of headwear that supports the ghutra and agal, and is a fundamental layer of the traditional clothing of the region. The stadium design is meant to reflect the gahfiya as the foundation that holds everything together and is a symbol of unity and diversity. In Arab culture, the gahfiya forms an important part of every young boy’s pathway to adulthood, with the design of the stadium forming a connection with the past and future that lays ahead.
Location: Doha
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: 1st quarter 2020
The new Al Rayyan Stadium will incorporate symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular, undulating façade. The facilities surrounding the venue will also mirror the country, with sand dune-shaped structures recalling the beautifully wild lands to the west. Al Rayyan Stadium an is designed to showcase Qatar’s culture and heritage, and is inspired by local patterns and dune-like structures that resemble the sand dunes that surround traditional desert tents. This design showcases the connection of the elements with the culture and people of Qatar and the region, as the desert forms an integral part of the region and the stadium an homage to this natural, barren paradise – rising from the sand to touch the sky.
The concept, delivered by AECOM, Ramboll, and Pattern Design combines a simple, nearly rectangular bowl with exciting outer cladding which adds dynamism to the building. Using traditional Arabic patterns, the outer webbing allows sunlight to access the infrastructure within the stadium. Sun will also play an important role in sustainability thanks to photovoltaic panels.
Location: Al Rayyan
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: 1st quarter 2019
The Al Wakrah Stadium was conceptualized by world-renowned Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Hadid, and draws its inspiration from the sails of traditional dhow boats. Hadid was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, and the UK's most prestigious architectural award, the Stirling Prize, in 2010 and 2011.
The eye-catching design of Al Wakrah Stadium is inspired by the sea which has shaped the city’s history – Al Wakrah is one of Qatar’s oldest settlements with a long history of commercial fishing and pearl-diving. The stadium’s modern design embodies the traditions of the people of the area and encapsulates in a structure that will later become home to the Al Wakrah football team.
Location: Al Wakrah
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: 4th quarter 2018
Khalifa International Stadium was delivered by Aspire Zone Foundation in accordance to the timetable set for the World Cup 2022. The stadium is also known as the ‘National Stadium’, and is one of the oldest and most grandiose stadiums in the region. First built in 1976, it’s a landmark and part of the history of Qatar, representomg the past, present, and the future. Its design is futuristic and offers a window into what’s to come in terms of sport technology and construction. Its air-cooling technology has no comparison, with a stable 26 degrees Celsius maintained for players and spectators alike. The stadium is an icon for the Arab world, and has contributed to the growth of football in the region. The opening ceremony for the renovated stadium was a spectacular event in itself, as the structure peeks out of the skyline with a dome appearing to reach for the heavens to seek the sun. The stadium has world-class facilities that have won awards for sustainability and excellence, making it an icon in the world of Arab sports.
Location: Al Waab
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: Completed
The Qatar Foundation Stadium will be located in the heart of Education City, surrounded by world-class facilities and educational institutions. Its design mirrors the futuristic landscape of the region – consisting of a gold façade that creates the image of the past and the future combined in a beautiful coexistence. Triangles form complex patterns across the design, appearing to change colour with the sun’s movement across the sky – an embodiment of the future, with a reflection on the past. The Qatar Women’s National Football Team will call this state-of-the-art stadium home after the 2022 World Cup with the stadium leaving a legacy of progress, ingenuity, and excellence.
Location: Education City
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: 4th quarter 2019
The Lusail Iconic Stadium will be the host venue for the opening and final games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Designed by Foster + Partners, it has a near-circular footprint with a circular base surrounded by a moat connected to the car park by six bridges. The stadium will be enclosed by a reflective pool of water, with spectators crossing the moat and entering the stadium through glass bridges. The saddle-form roof will appear to float above the concrete seating, while its central section can be retracted to allow the pitch to be either open to the sky, or fully covered. VIP and hospitality accommodation is concentrated along the sides of the pitch to create a once in a lifetime viewing experience, while the seating bowl will be designed to provide a cool atmosphere for spectators and players alike.
Location: Lusail City
Capacity: 86,000
Completion Date: 3rd quarter 2020
This waterfront stadium will rise up in the Ras Abu Aboud area, looking out towards the futuristic skyscrapers of Doha’s West Bay skyline. The design is believed to take its inspiration from the marine habitat that will surround the location. The stadium will have arches converging towards the interior forming a concave effect. Designed by Populous, the architectural firm that created London’s 2012 Olympic Stadium, and the Emirates Stadium home to Arsenal FC. The first stadium in Qatar created with a legacy concept in mind, plans for Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is for it to become part of a larger, mixed-use neighbourhood as the tournament ends.
Location: Doha
Capacity: 40,000
Completion Date: 1st quarter 2020
Which stadium are you most looking forward to seeing ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup? Drop us a line in the comments below and let us know your thoughts on the designs for the 8 stadia – and don’t forget to like and share this article!
(Words by Asad Bisati)
(Images courtesy of the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy)
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