The eye-catching stadium, which will host the inaugural game for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as well, honours Middle Eastern hospitality by being based on the bayt al sha’ar, or traditional nomadic tents in the Gulf region. In keeping with the concept of traditional Arabic tents meant to fend off the desert heat, the venue’s portable canopies support its artificial cooling technology.
Grandiose Ceremony
During a lavish opening ceremony that featured 3D hologram projections, live and virtual performances by a number of celebrities, including the renowned Lebanese singer Fairuz, FIFA president Gianni Infantino could also be seen taking in the light and sound show. His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, declared the tournament to be open.
Infantino urged fans to “enjoy football and bring the globe together” prior to the game. Qatar, the defending Asian champion, defeated the visitor 1-0 in the 69th minute of play after surviving a last-second scare.
The Al Bayt Stadium has 60,000 seats and is situated 46 kilometres north of Doha in the northern city of Al Khor. By hosting nine games up to the semi-finals, it will be the second busiest stadium throughout the quadrennial championship the following year.
The arena’s capacity, provided by the Aspire Zone Foundation, a member of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, will almost be cut in half after the 2022 competition to make room for a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, a food court, a fitness centre, and a multipurpose hall. Additionally, it will have a branch of a renowned sports medicine institution on its property.
First of its Kind
Tuesday was the first game at the 40,000-seat Stadium 974, which saw the United Arab Emirates defeat Syria 2-1 in an Arab Cup match. The facility, which is built up of 974 shipping containers, takes its name from the nation’s international dialling code (+974). In World Cup history, it is the first venue that can be completely disassembled.
