With less than 2000 days to go until the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, construction is advancing rapidly across all of the stadiums and infrastructure sites for the tournament. After the recent opening of Khalifa International Stadium as the first venue for 2022, seven more stadiums are in different stages of construction, and Al Wakrah Stadium will be among the next to be completed at the end of next year.

"We are moving ahead rapidly with construction across all of our stadium and infrastructure sites for the tournament," said Engineer Ghanim Al Kuwari, SC Competition Venues Executive Director. "The recent opening of Khalifa International Stadium signified a major milestone and the first venue to be completed, and we are now seeing continuous construction advances across the other seven stadium sites currently underway across the country."

Al Wakrah Stadium

Al Wakrah Stadium is rapidly becoming a reality, with two mega pillars being installed on site as the main support for the roof structure. Over 80% of concrete has been poured already and 100% of the columns in level 2 are also completed.

Two 900-tonne pillars resembling curved hockey sticks will be the main support for the retractable roof of the arena and will be visible to all spectators in the 40,000 seater venue upon completion.

Al Wakrah Stadium progresses with six tower cranes on site now, including one 600-tonne crane that will be used to install the two pillars. They will be installed as a first step before the retractable roof is installed.

Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City

At the site of the tent-inspired 60,000-seater Al Bayt Stadium, the shape of an entirely unique football stadium and a semi-final venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ is rising from the ground. Over 70% of precast elements have been completed. The upper tier steel structure installation is progressing well in the majority of the stadium sections, while external piling is also on-going to form the main support that will carry the stadium roof and that main tent façade structure.

Fabrication of the retractable roof steel structure is currently on going, with the pieces of the roof being assembled in one of the sectors. The retractable roof will close in just 20 minutes, allowing for optimal playing conditions.

Al Rayyan Stadium

At Al Rayyan Stadium, 94% of the stadium foundations are complete with over 100,000 m3 of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel used during the concrete pouring phase. Work is also in full swing on the basement columns that are 79% complete, while concrete pouring continues in the energy centre building.

Al Rayyan's sporting heritage is reflected in the design of the proposed host venue through to the quarter-finals for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. Situated within a short walking distance from a Doha Metro station, and next to the new Mall of Qatar, once complete the stadium will provide the local community with a vibrant sporting hub.

The interior seating design for Al Rayyan Stadium was revealed yesterday on social media, and will be made in Qatar at the newly opened Coastal seating factory.

Qatar Foundation Stadium

The stadium located in Doha's Education City is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. The venue will host fixtures up to the quarter-final stage during the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. Six tower cranes have been installed, while foundation concrete works of the outer ring are on-going and scheduled to be completed this summer.

With almost 100 columns erected to date, the stadium that will resemble a diamond in the desert is rapidly rising as the West retaining wall has been completed and six out of seven core walls have been completed in the same area.

Lusail Stadium

As Qatar's preparations advance rapidly across the country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, the place where the trophy will be handed to the winning captain is starting to take shape to the backdrop of a new city rising from the ground, newly constructed high-rise buildings and recently-opened highways.

Come November 21, 2022, the world's eyes will be turned to Lusail Stadium, and specifically the centre circle where the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ will be kicking off. Work is under way with the Main Contractor moving ahead with construction for the Opening and Final match venue.

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium

The location of the seventh stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ will be the Ras Abu Aboud area of Doha. The 40,000-seat stadium will bring the 'design for legacy' concept onto the world stage as one of the first sports venues 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.

Al Thumama

Al Thumama Stadium, scheduled for completion in 2020, is currently in Main Contractor stage, with a Qatar-Turkey joint venture working to build the venue on the area which also hosted Workers' Cup matches this year. Arab Engineering Bureau, the oldest architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, was appointed last year as the Design Consultant for the eighth proposed host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.