Qatar is set to complete the first of its World Cup 2022 venues – Khalifa International Stadium – by the end of next year, said a report.
The reconstruction work at the stadium, located in the Aspire Zone, is progressing well with 90 per cent of the structural concrete (42,000 cu m) being laid and the remainder expected to be done in the next two months, reported Doha News.
Also new seating levels have been added to boost the stadium’s capacity to 40,000, it stated.
The 40-year-old Khalifa Stadium is being remodeled mainly to meet FIFA regulations for the hosting group, round of 16 and quarter-final World Cup matches, said the report, citing the local organizing committee officials.
The seated areas will be covered by a “tent”, which will provide shade for around 70 per cent of the stadium. This is being fabricated in the US and assembled in Mexico, they stated.
The concrete structure is being strengthened and is nearly at full-height, with the skeleton of the stadium expected to be complete by the end of this year.
On the arena’s east wing there will be a building housing the new 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, which will include items and interactive exhibits demonstrating Qatar’s growing relationship with sports, said the report.
The upper and lower levels of the wing will also feature food courts, shops, multi-purpose rooms, VIP lounges and a health center, it added.
The Aspire Zone Foundation is leading construction works on the project, while the main contractors are a joint venture comprising local contracting firm Midmac and a subsidiary of Belgium-headquartered Besix Group (Six Construct).
Dar Al Handasah and Projacs are the design consultant and project manager, respectively.
Although the 2022 World Cup will now take place in the winter, cooling technology will still be used across the field, spectators’ area and the surrounding concourse, said the report.
On the other venues, the organizing committee said Architect firm Foster + Partners was working on the final concepts for the flagship stadium at Lusail City, which will host the opening ceremony and final match of the 2022 tournament.
Qatar has named eight locations for World Cup venues, although it has only released the designs for four of them, the report added.
Doha News
3 September
