FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar will reach another milestone next month when the newly-built Al Wakrah Stadium – one of the eight venues for football’s global showpiece event – will be inaugurated with the hosting of the Amir Cup final.
With more than three years left for the kick off of the quadrennial tournament, Al Wakrah Stadium will become the second World Cup venue to show readiness after the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, which was also unveiled with the Amir Cup final in May 2017.
The final of the prestigious Amir Cup 2019 will be played on May 16 while the inauguration ceremony of state-of-the-art venue will take place before the game kicks off at 10:30pm, Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) announced at a press conference held at Al Bidda Tower, yesterday.
“We are honoured that one of Qatar’s World Cup venues will host this year’s Amir Cup final,” said Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, QFA’s Director of Marketing & Communications, flanked by Thani Al Zarraa, the SC’s Al Wakrah Stadium Project Manager.
“The 2017 Amir Cup final at Khalifa International Stadium was a magnificent occasion and we are sure this year’s final will be just as memorable,” he said.
“All the engineers and the ones involved deserve the praise for their hardwork in completion of the stadium,” Al Kuwari added.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) has taken various initiatives to attract spectators in the 40,000-capacity venue for the final.
Tickets are already 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 and Al Wakrah. Tickets are available in four categories - QR20, QR30, QR50 and QR100 - and will remain on sale until May 15.
“Spectators of all ages will enjoy activation around the stadium’s precinct. There will be several awards up for grabs for the public who will turn out to watch the final,” said Al Kuwari.
“Additionally, we will give local businesses and restaurants the chance to showcase their products,” he added.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the spectators during the 2017 Amir Cup final when the Khalifa Stadium was inaugurated, and Al Kuwari said the QFA will be inviting leading figures of the sport for this year’s final too.
“The QFA invites heads of football bodies and other leading figures. We will be revealing the details about it on the later stages,” said Al Kuwari while responding to a query.
Meanwhile, Al Zarraa described the upcoming inauguration as a major milestone as Qatar continues preparations for the FIFA World Cup.
“The launch of Al Wakrah Stadium is a significant step on the road to 2022,” said Al Zarraa.
“Its innovative and futuristic design means it is set to be one of the iconic venues during the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world. We hope thousands of football fans across the country will join us for this landmark occasion as we celebrate the progress we have made to-date and look forward to 2022 with renewed excitement.”
Al Zarraa added: “Al Wakrah stadium will significantly boost the local community. During the design and execution phases, we met people from Al Wakrah in order to include their requirements in the project. We appreciate the contribution of everyone who took part in this project.”
The stadium was designed by Zaha Hadid and AECOM Architects. It has a fully retractable roof, meaning it can be used all-year-round. It also features innovative cooling technology for the benefit of spectators and players. The technology is capable of cooling the spectator areas to 18°C and the field of play to 20°C.
After the World Cup, the stadium’s capacity will be reduced to 20,000 thanks to its modular construction, with the excess seats being donated to sporting projects overseas. The stadium will also become the home of popular Qatar Stars League side Al Wakrah Sports Club.
