April 23 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have unveiled plans for a fifth stadium as they attempt to focus on infrastructure despite the continuing scrutiny about workers rights and the fact the tournament will be staged in winter.
The Qataris still haven’t decided for definite how many venues will be used for the most compact World Cup in history but have just released the design for the Al Rayyan Stadium which will stand on the site of Al Rayyan Sports Club’s razed former home (Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium). Scheduled completion is the first quarter of 2019.
The stadium will be able to host matches up to the quarter-final stage, with a 40,000 capacity. This will be reduced to 21,000 after the finals, with the upper tier of seats being removed and sent to developing nations in need of sports infrastructure, a key part of Qatar’s World Cup legacy.
Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary-general of the Supreme Committee, said: “[This] is another important step forward in our preparations.
“As one of the most successful and widely-supported clubs in Qatar, Al Rayyan has always played an important part in our hosting plans.
“We are very confident that this impressively designed stadium and precinct will become a landmark for the Al Rayyan area and benefit the entire community.”
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