the stadiums erected in the middle of the desert

For the first time, a stadium has been erected that will be dismantled right after the meeting and will disappear. And the capacity of many other stadiums will be reduced and the remaining seats sent to sports venues in Third World countries.

Stadium of Lusail

The stadium chosen to host the grand final is located in Lusail, a city that is being built brand new about 15 kilometers north of the capital. The enclosure, the work of the studio of the British Norman Foster, is inspired by the traditional designs of Arab ceramics and evokes the image of a lantern, especially when the sun goes down and the light is projected on the facade of an enclosure inaugurated a few months ago, this past August with the Qatar Super Cup. Scenario of 10 matches of the tournament, two of which of Messi’s Argentina selection in the first phase, it is planned that once the World Cup date ends, its capacity will be reduced by half, to be able to receive 40,000 spectators. After the works, part of the stadium’s spaces are to be transformed into shops, a clinic, a school and apartments.

Al-Bayt

The stadium chosen to host the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador is located on the outskirts of Al-Khor, a port in the north of the country. Raised where there was already an old football stadium, the stadium can be reached by metro, bus or by water with a canal that allows the arrival of ships coming from the sea. The work of the German Albert Speer Jr. it is externally inspired by the design of the traditional desert Bedouin tents, a tribute to the tribes of Qatar who arrived centuries ago from the heart of Arabia. The stadium cost more than $650 million and has a retractable roof that allows the venue to be covered in less than 10 minutes.

Estadi Ahmad bin Ali

Located on the outskirts of the city of Al-Rayyan, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was designed to pay tribute to the local culture, as the facade is filled with motifs reminiscent of the local fauna and flora, as well as cultural traditions in the outdoor screens, where videos are projected. Built right where there was another stadium, from which materials were used, it has been designed by a British studio specializing in sports venues. After the World Cup, its capacity will be reduced to 20,000 spectators. The stadium is named after the Emir of Qatar from 1960 to 1972, Ahmad bin Ali al-Thani, who ruled when Qatar gained independence from the British in 1971.

Stadium 974

The first stadium in the history of the World Cup to be dismantled once the tournament is over. Made from 974 recycled shipping containers, with a passing reference to Qatar’s telephone code, it rises on an old industrial dock on the outskirts of Doha that will be converted into a residential area. The services or bars are located inside the containers. Containers that will be sent to Third World countries when the World Cup ends.

Estadi Al-Thumama

A stadium that imitates the design of the morning, a traditional white cloth hat from Arab culture. When the World Cup ends, the upper stands will be transformed into a luxury hotel and the capacity will drop to 20,000 spectators. Spain will play one of its matches in this stadium, located very close to Doha International Airport, in an area where other sports facilities are to be built.

City of Education Stadium

Built in the middle of a large university area in Al-Rayyan, on the outskirts of Doha, it has been dubbed the jewel of the desert. Made with a design of geometric motifs to symbolize values ​​that every student should have, such as perseverance, it will be one of the stadiums where the capacity will be reduced by 50% when the tournament ends.

Estadi Al-Janoub

Designed by the Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid, who died without being able to see the finished stadium, it mimics the design of the daus, the traditional boats of the Persian Gulf. Opened in 2019 and destined to see its capacity reduced by 50%, it has a ventilation system under each chair to prevent spectators from getting too hot.

Khalifa International Stadium

The only stadium that has not been redone, as in this case the old national stadium built in 1976 has been remodeled. Home to the Qatar Football Federation and the local Sports Museum, it has already lived top-level matches such as a Club World Cup final between Liverpool and Flamengo in 2019. It has an athletics track and, in fact, regularly hosts Diamond League matches and other sports finals.