A giant scale model of Al Thumama Stadium has been put on display at Hamad International Airport (HIA), during a special unveiling ceremony on Thursday.

The stadium design was revealed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) online on Sunday during a worldwide digital launch, and has now been brought to life for travelers from across the world to see in the departures area of the airport – where it will remain on show until 15 September.

In attendance were a number of dignitaries and business leaders, including SC Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs Nasser Al Khater, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport.

The Secretary General took the opportunity to commemorate the occasion and point out the significance of the location.

"Hamad International Airport will play a major role in 2022 and be the main gateway for over a million players and fans who we're expecting will visit Qatar when the tournament kicks off," he said.

"As the first point of contact for the 37m passengers who currently land in HIA each year, it already plays a major role in introducing Qatar to the world, and will increasingly do so as the country continues to attract more tourists and we get closer to the tournament.

"As such, I could not think of a better place to launch our largest stadium scale model other than HIA, as we continue to show the progress we are making and demonstrate the amazing stadiums and tournament features fans and players alike can expect when they visit us in 2022."

"As such, I could not think of a better place to launch our largest stadium scale model other than HIA, as we continue to show the progress we are making and demonstrate the amazing stadiums and tournament features fans and players alike can expect when they visit us in 2022."

Meanwhile, the stadium design is based on the gahfiya headdress worn by men across the Arab world, an essential component of traditional Arab dress that holds in place the ghutra and aghal, which together form a symbol of dignity and independence.

It was envisioned by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, who was also present at the unveiling, and is steeped in tradition and history that will resonate with Arabs across the region.

Something, according to Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, that made HIA the perfect location for the model to go on display.

"This stadium is yet another demonstration of Qatar's readiness to host an amazing tournament and come 2022. Hamad International Airport will be ready to open its doors to the eager players and fans wanting to witness an historic first Middle Eastern World Cup," he added.

"We are delighted to have the Al Thumama Stadium scale model on display at the five-star Hamad International Airport, and to be showcasing its unique design to Qatar's residents and the millions who travel through our airport each year."

Al Thumama Stadium is set for completion in 2020 and will host 40,000 fans during the group stage and quarterfinal matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

The stadium, which will be reduced to 20,000 seats in legacy mode, will be equipped with both world-class standards of disabled access and the SC's revolutionary cooling technology to enable year-round sporting activities after the tournament.

Find out more information about the stadium, its design, sustainability commitments and legacy promises here.