Qatar 2022: first stadium ready five years ahead of the World Cup
The renovated Khalifa International stadium, which holds more than 40,000 people, is ready and will hold the final of the Emir Cup on Friday. "I'm thrilled" said Xavi.
The reconstruction works at the historic Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar have been completed in record time and the Qatar Football Association has announced that the ground will be the venue for the final of the Emir Cup, to be held on Friday. The stadium will be inaugurated 30 minutes before the match between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd.
Khalifa International Stadium will host World Cup 2022 matches
The Khalifa International Stadium is the first ground that will host World Cup 2022 matches to be ready, and is being inaugurated five years ahead of the start of the tournament, scheduled for 22 November.
“We are pleased to announce that Khalifa International Stadium will host the final of the 2017 Emir Cup between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd on Friday evening,” said QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani. "The venue will also host the opening game and final of the Gulf Cup this December in Doha."
New features at Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium has undergone extensive renovation works ahead of hosting matches up to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2022. New features are in full compliance with FIFA requirements and include the installation of innovative cooling technology to keep spectators and players alike comfortable throughout the year. The stadium will also see the construction of a sports museum within the venue.
“The completion of our first stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is an important milestone for Qatar and reflects our commitment to delivering all of the proposed venues well in advance of the tournament,” said H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
Within the Khalifa International Stadium, which seats more than 40,000 spectators, a new viewing experience awaits the fans. The entire spectator area is now covered by a new roof, with an intricate net of German and Italian-made steel tension cables weighing 4,000 tonnes having been put up to hold the 92 panels in place.
Xavi: "I'm thrilled to be playing in the first stadium finished for Qatar 2022"
Al Saad player Xavi Hernández, said he was thrilled to be playing the final of the Emir Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday, the first venue for Qatar 2022 to be finished. "I'm thrilled to be playing the final at this ground. Qatar are doing things really well and the first stadium has been delivered", said the player on the website www.sc.qa.
Xavi, who won his first title in Qatar in April, highlighted the importance of the Khalifa International Stadium for the future. "The best footballers in the world will play here in 2022, which motivates the youngsters to get better and to ensure a great World Cup here", said the midfielder who won the World Cup with Spain in South Africa in 2010.