Qatar’s first stadium completed ahead of World Cup 2022 five years before tournament… and it is air conditioned
QATAR’s first stadium has been completed ahead of the World Cup 2022, five years before the tournament begins – and it is air conditioned.
The 40,000 Khalifa International Stadium has been open since 1976 but has been extensively renovated for the major competition in the middle eastern country.
The Khalifa International Stadium has been renovated to the tune of £70millionPA:Press Association
One of the key features is the cooling system at the Doha ground, which was the linchpin of the bid from the country to host football’s biggest tournament, as temperatures soar to 50 degrees.
The ground has been totally re-built to the tune of £70million, with the pitch at a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and the stands at 24-28 degrees year-round.
Able to hold 40,000 spectators, the stadium is done five years ahead of scheduleReuters
The secretary general of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Hassan Al Thawadi, said: "The completion of our first stadium more than five years before the Qatar World Cup begins is an important milestone.
"It reflects our determination to deliver a tournament the entire Arab world is proud to be a part of.
It is an air conditioned stadium with a special cooling mechanismFIFA World CupThe stadium will hold the Emir Cup final as soon as this FridayFIFA World Cup
"As we promised in our bid, our innovative stadiums offer an unrivalled experience to fans and players alike.
"I'm proud we can show these off to the world and welcome fans with the hospitality this World Cup will be remembered for.
The cooling system was at the heart of the Arabian country's bid for the tournamentPA:Press Association
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"This is a venue which holds a very special place in Qatar’s sporting history, and over the years we have seen some of the greatest football players from Qatar, the region and world stars make their mark here."
A hospitality lounge in view of the pitch at the Khalifa stadiumPA:Press AssociationFans will watch the 2022 World Cup in stunning surroundings at the Doha stadiumPA:Press Association
The stadium will host World Cup matches up to the quarter-final stage in 2022 but is in use as soon as this Friday.
The stadium where Friday's 2017 Emir Cup final, Qatar's most prestigious domestic football tournament, will take place between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd.
The stadium has been around since 1976, but was rebuilt from the ground upFIFA World CupBut it was not without tragedy as a British worker died during its constructionFIFA World Cup
The stadium is also scheduled to host the 2019 World Athletics Championships - but the construction was not without tragedy.
A British worker fell to his death at the stadium in January, while there has been huge criticism of Qatar's treatment of its masses of migrant workers.
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