Excavation work on the Al Wakrah stadium for the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup has begun with the breaking of ground at the venue.

HBK contracting company is carrying out the works for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).

The decision to award the contract to HBK, a  local company,  following a tender process, follows the SC’s vision to develop the private sector, a statement was quoted as saying in a Gulf Times report.

The company has begun major excavation to prepare for the foundations being laid in September. This latest phase of construction is scheduled to finish around March 2015, with stadium completion expected in 2018, said the report.

The early works at Al Wakrah were carried out by Amana. The main construction contractor is expected to be announced by the end of the year.

The 40,000-seater New Al Wakrah Stadium, future home of Al Wakrah Sports Club, is the first of the World Cup proposed host venues to be revealed. The stadium will be surrounded by a 560,000 sq m  precinct with a new sports centre and community hub.