On the eve of the start of the Qatar World Cup 2022 at the home stadium between the Qatari and Ecuadorian national teams, the host country appeared in a splendid suit, adorned with lights and flags of the countries participating in the World Cup.
Qatar was able to accomplish what no one expected when it won the honor of hosting the World Cup in 2010, put the finishing touches, and became ready to host a historic tournament thanks to the hard work and concerted efforts over 12 years.
Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup, whose first matches will start on Sunday and end next December 18, did not leave any margin of chance, but rather paid attention to all the details and overcame all difficulties.
** Equipment finished
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The Organizing Committee for the World Cup in Qatar 2022 confirmed that they have reached readiness in all respects, and that all fields in Qatar are ready to host the World Cup.
She added that Qatar is also ready with mass events in more than 90 locations, most notably: Al Bidda Park, Doha Corniche, Al Wakra area, and Haya area in Lusail Corniche.
As for the preparations for the media, the committee said that 12,300 media professionals are expected to come to cover the tournament, noting that it “issued 78 licenses to media organizations, in addition to setting up studios on the Corniche, and providing facilities for media professionals who did not receive accreditation.”
The committee revealed “the readiness of the volunteers, who numbered 20,000 volunteers, 89 percent of whom are from Qatar, and 11 percent from all over the world.”
** 8 world class stadiums
Since winning the hosting of the World Cup, Qatar has built 8 stadiums with innovative designs that blended popular heritage with modernity, and were equipped with solar-powered cooling technology.
The World Cup in Qatar is distinguished as the first edition whose matches are held on geographically close stadiums. In a way that enables the audience to follow more than one match per day.
All stadiums are designed to be environmentally friendly with the ability to control the temperature inside them, and they also have standard elements that will be reconfigured after the tournament, to become the permanent heritage of the 2022 World Cup.
The stadiums are the “Al Bayt Stadium”, which will host the opening match of the World Cup, with a capacity of 60,000 spectators, and is located in the city of Al Khor, 35 km north of central Doha.
As for the second stadium, it is “Lusail Stadium”, and it will host the World Cup final match, with a capacity of 80 thousand spectators, and is located in the city of Lusail, 20 km north of Doha, while the third stadium is “Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium”, which is an edifice that simulates the desert and its dunes, with a capacity of 40 thousand. A fan, and it is located in the Umm Al-Afai area, 20 km west of central Doha.
The fourth stadium is “Al Janoub Stadium”, which embarks on a modern journey with football with a capacity of 40,000 fans. It is located in Al Wakrah, 22 km east of central Doha, while the fifth stadium is “Al Thumama Stadium”, which is inspired by culture and traditions, with a capacity of 40,000 fans. It is located in the Al Thumama area, 12 km south of central Doha.
As for the sixth stadium, it is the “Education City Stadium”, where football meets science and knowledge, with a capacity of 40,000 spectators, and is located in Al-Rayyan area, 7 km northwest of the center of Doha, while the seventh stadium is the “Khalifa International Stadium” with its new look and technology. Modern and new legacy, with a capacity of 40,000 fans, and is located in the Aspire Zone, 11 km west of the center of Doha.
The eighth World Cup stadium built by Qatar is “Stadium 974”, a symbol of innovation and sustainability, with a capacity of 40,000 fans. It is located in the Ras Abu Aboud area, 10 km east of central Doha.
** Large events and entertainment areas
Qatar has prepared a variety of entertainment events that will be held across the country to welcome visitors during the tournament, including the “FIFA Fan Festival”, which will be available free of charge and receive more than 40,000 fans daily during the tournament period. It will also include giant screens showing live broadcasts of the World Cup matches.
The festival site in Al Bidda Park in Doha will host a group of international artists, and will include many activities related to football.
In addition to the entertainment activities hosted by the Doha Corniche with a length of 6 km, from the garden of the Sheraton Hotel to the Museum of Islamic Art; The Corniche will witness touring art shows during the World Cup.
The events also include other activities, including daily performances within the “Welcome to Qatar” programme, where attendees will enjoy a bouquet of water shows and fireworks, which will be interspersed with songs from the official album of the Qatar World Cup.
Fans will be able to enjoy various games and activities on Al Maha Island in Lusail City, as well as the “974 Beach Club” in Ras Bu Abboud, the “Haya” fan zone in Lusail South Promenade, the “Qetaifan Beach” festival, in addition to the concerts scheduled within the two “Arcadia” festivals. The musician, which has a capacity of 15,000 people, and Middle Best – Arabia, which can accommodate more than 5,000 people.
Fans attending the World Cup matches will have the opportunity to enjoy cultural, artistic and entertainment performances in the vicinity of each stadium, with more than 6,000 performances in 21 locations.
** World Cup transportation
Qatar’s plan for transportation and transportation of fans is completely free for everyone who holds the “Haya” card, which is imposed on the entry of every visitor to the country.
The “Doha Metro” will be the bet, in terms of transportation and the movement of football fans, according to officials and observers, as it is an essential part of the comprehensive planning system for transportation during the tournament.
The Doha Metro network provides a service linking 5 stadiums, through stations very close to the “Education City”, “Ahmed Bin Ali”, “974”, “Lusail” and “Khalifa International” stadiums.
In addition to the train cars, Qatar Rail provides a free Metro Link service from the stations to lines covering Doha using buses that run to and from the metro station, as well as taxis for passengers at reduced prices, and “park and drive” parking lots in the vicinity of the stations.