Dubai: As the row over Fifa’s investigation into World Cup bidding corruption rumbles on, 2022 hosts Qatar — who were cleared of any wrongdoing in an announcement on Thursday — have begun renovation works on the third of their host venues.
The Qatar World Cup’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and the Aspire Zone Foundation — the stadium’s delivery organisation — this week said main contractor works on the new air-conditioned Khalifa International Stadium project was underway.
The renovation includes revamping the venue to a 40,000-seat arena that complies with Fifa’s stadium requirements to be able to host group stage, round of 16 and quarter-final matches.
The SC will unveil the stadium’s new design in collaboration with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) at a dinner in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, on November 24 on the sidelines of the ongoing Gulf Cup tournament.
The project, which will include innovative cooling technology to provide ideal conditions for players and fans during the tournament, is expected to be completed in 2016.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: “We are excited to see everything come together to begin main contractor works on the third proposed host venue equipped to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
“Every new project brings us one step closer to hosting the first ever Fifa World Cup in the Middle East, and also reflects the size of the effort to fulfil Qatar’s pledge to host a memorable tournament for the region eight years from now.”
A joint venture between Midmac Contracting and a subsidiary of the Belgian Besix Group, Six Construct, is overseeing main contractor works on the stadium. Dar Al Handasah and Projacs are the Design Consultant and Project Manager respectively.
Hilal Jeham Al Kuwari, President of the Aspire Zone Foundation, said: “Since its inception four decades ago, Khalifa International Stadium has played a prominent role in hosting major sporting events, including Gulf Cups, Asian Cups and the Asian Games.
“Today, we seek to renovate Khalifa International Stadium to enter sporting events history as a proposed host venue for matches during the 2022 Fifa World Cup. We are confident that the renovation project will enable the stadium to continue to host global sports competitions long after 2022.”
Khalifa International Stadium is the third host venue following the Al Wakrah and Al Bayt stadiums. Work is now underway in different stages on five proposed venues.
