Doha, November 22 (QNA) - Marking the two-year countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) highlighted in a report on Sunday the progress has been made at the eight Qatar 2022 stadium sites.

Three stadiums Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City have all been inaugurated and are fully operational, with the remaining five at various stages of construction.

All eight stadiums will be completed well in advance of the tournament, which will kick off on 21 November 2022 for the first time in the Middle East and the Arab world.

The report started with Al Bayt Stadium which will host the opening match of the tournament. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 and is being delivered by Aspire Zone Foundation. Designed to represent Arab hospitality, the venue will host nine matches through to the semi-finals stage of Qatar 2022 and is covered by a structure resembling a traditional Arab tent known as (bayt al sha'ar), complete with a state-of-the-art retractable roof.

The stadium structure has been completed and is ready to host matches. This includes the laying of the stadium pitch in world record time. It is the second Qatar 2022 tournament venue to achieve a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The surrounding Al Bayt Park is also open to the public. 

The report of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy also highlighted Al Janoub Stadium which has a capacity of 40,000.

Located in Al Wakrah with a design inspired by the late British-Iraqi architect Dame Zaha Hadid, the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhow boats in tribute to Al Wakrah's seafaring past. An innovative cooling system and retractable roof mean the stadium can be used all year round.

The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 ahead of that years Amir Cup final. More recently, Al Janoub played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition. The stadium has also been chosen by the Asian Football Confederation as the venue for the 2020 AFC Champions League final on 19 December.

The SC report also highlighted Al Rayyan Stadium which has a capacity of 40,000. Al Rayyan Stadium will showcase the very best of Qatari culture when it hosts seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The outer facade will be made up of intricate patterns representing Qatar, from its history of trade to its varied wildlife. Al Rayyan's desert landscapes will be reflected on the facade and in the dune-shaped hospitality areas and merchandise stalls dotted around the stadium complex.

Recent infrastructure completions include the stadium faade, seating installation and the playing surface. The stadium will be inaugurated when it hosts the 2020 Amir Cup final on 18 December.

The SC report shed light on Al Thumama Stadium which has a capacity of 40,000. The design of Al Thumama Stadium is inspired by the (gahfiya), a traditional woven cap worn for centuries by men across the Arab world. It is the first FIFA World Cup venue to be designed by a Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022.

Roof and facade works have been completed, as has the stadiums bleacher installation. Seat installation, along with mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, plus finishing, are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Education City Stadium which has a capacity: 40,000 is located at the heart of Qatar Foundation a vibrant centre for knowledge and innovation where this ultramodern arena will be a fitting addition and lasting symbol of sustainability. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022 and eventually become the home of the Qatar women's national team.

The stadium became the first Qatar 2022 tournament venue to receive a five-star GSAS sustainability rating ahead of its inauguration in June 2020. More recently, Education City played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition. 

Khalifa International Stadium which has a capacity of 40,000 became the first FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium to open when it hosted the Amir Cup final on 19 May 2017, in front of more than 40,000 fans.

Located in Aspire Zone, the historic venue has previously hosted the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup. The stadium is set to host eight matches up to the third-place play-off during Qatar 2022.

Recent events to have taken place at Khalifa International include the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 This year, the stadium played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition.

The SC report also reviewed Lusail Stadium which has a capacity of 80,000. The Stadium will embody Qatar's ambition and its passion for sharing Arab culture with the world. The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. The venue will also become the centrepiece of Lusail a newly built, state-of-the-art metropolis, designed specifically with residents needs in mind. The stadium will host ten matches up to and including the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The stadiums concrete works and bowl steel installation have been completed, while the roof big lift has commenced. The installation of the stadiums steel structure and facade are ongoing, as are the mechanical, engineering, plumbing and finishing works.

Finally, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium which will be the first fully demountable and re-usable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup history. Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, this 40,000-capacity stadium will be built using shipping containers and other modular materials. Overlooking the stunning Doha Corniche and West Bay skyline, the stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022.

The stadium will be built using 998 modular containers, with the delivery and installation of all remaining containers now completed. This includes special containers for the completed Kahramaa Primary Substation. All remaining structural steel members, including tension rods, have also been delivered and installed. Installation of all seats in the stadiums bowl has also been completed. (QNA)