Work at eight of the proposed host venues for the 2022 Fifa World Cup matches, is now in full swing with the historic Khalifa International Stadium, the first host venue, due for completion in the first quarter of 2017.

Six years from now, fans will be arriving in Qatar for opening round matches of the World Cup as the tournament kicks off on November 21, 2022, said The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).

All the stadiums are being designed by some of the world’s leading architects with three priorities in mind: access and comfort, sustainability and post-tournament legacy.

The venues, in various shape and sizes, will each reflect a different aspect of Qatari culture.

On the Khalifa International Stadium, the SC said construction is moving ahead at a rapid pace with the external cladding and LED screens coming up around the exterior of the venue.

The complex system of cabling for the roof of the stadium has also been completed, with the canopy roof to be placed atop and fixed to the cabling in the coming weeks. The completion of the roof will start the countdown towards the finalisation of the renovation and upgrading works at the proposed host venue for matches through to the quarter-finals, it stated.

On the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium at Al Khor City, SC said it is a proposed host venue up to the semi-final matches.

The stadium’s design mirrors the Bedouin tents often used in the region that are a symbol of Qatari hospitality. Construction at the stadium is in full swing with the successful installation of elements of the main structure, as well as ongoing works on access tunnels to the stadium and bridges leading up to the venue.

The stadium will also have a retractable roof which will be able to close in just 20 minutes, allowing for optimal playing conditions.

According to SC, the stadium located in Doha’s Education City, the proposed venue for fixtures up to the quarter-final stage, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.

The bulk excavation works of a total volume of 650,000 cu m to formation level, and implementation of a dewatering system for the next main-package contractor have been completed in the recent months.

By the end of 2016, the main-works contractor will be fully mobilised on site, progressing with the schematic design, finishing the foundation works and securing a substantial portion of the structural steel for the super structure, it stated.

At Al Wakrah Stadium, a 40,000-seater venue that will host matches up to the quarter-final stage, the main contractor has come on board and is currently preparing the stadium design to be issued for construction, with the foundation works progressing well.

Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the venue is inspired by traditional dhow boats used in areas in fishing towns like Al Wakrah.

Three cranes have been installed within the stadium bowl on site and works are advancing to prepare for the start of construction above ground on the superstructure by year end.

A total of six 60-tonne cranes will be working on site, in order to bring the structure of the stadium up from the ground.

On Al Rayyan Stadium, the proposed host venue up to the quarter-finals, SC said the first concrete was recently poured on the area of the West Stand of the stadium, with the main contractor continuing to advance on the construction of the 40,000 seater stadium inspired by the area’s traditions and culture.

Over 100,000 cu m of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel will be used during this phase of the project.

Construction work on the Lusail Stadium, the venue of the opening and final matches, is moving smootly. The 80,000-seater stadium, placed within Lusail City is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

With the schematic design ongoing, early works have been completed and the project team has relocated to the site. The venue is 12 km north of Doha’s West Bay.

According to SC, the 40,000-seat Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will bring the ‘design for legacy’ concept onto the world stage as one of the first sports venues ever designed from the beginning with the ability to transform into a successful and dynamic mixed-use urban neighbourhood after the tournament. The site is currently seeing early works underway.

The eighth proposed host venue, Al Thumama Stadium, will have a capacity of 40,000 seats and host matches up to the quarter-finals stage. In legacy mode, the stadium capacity will be reduced to a maximum of 20,000 seats, said the statement from SC.

Early works are currently underway at the venue in preparation for the main construction, with levelling and grading works being undertaken, it added.-TradeArabia News Service