The 40,000-capacity arena, nicknamed the ‘Diamond in the Desert’, will become the third FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium to open, following Khalifa International Stadium in 2017 and Al Janoub Stadium earlier this year.
Situated in the heart of Education City – in the Al Rayyan district of Qatar – the stadium shall host matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022. Fans will be able to access the stadium using the Doha Metro Green Line, which is set to open in the coming weeks.
The design of Education City Stadium draws on the rich history of Islamic architecture, blended with striking modernity. The façade features triangles that form complex, diamond-like geometrical patterns which appear to change colour depending on the sun’s position.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said unveiling the stadium on Qatar National Day would be a proud moment for the entire country.
“The inauguration of Education City Stadium will mark another major milestone on the road to delivering international football’s showpiece event,” said Al Thawadi. “Everyone in Qatar will feel immense pride when this architectural masterpiece is unveiled on our country’s National Day, during the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup, and exactly three years before the Qatar 2022 final takes place.”
Al Thawadi added: “Hosting the FIFA Club World Cup is a golden opportunity to boost preparation for 2022 while giving thousands of fans from across the globe a taste of what to expect in three years’ time. We are immensely excited about hosting this tournament for the next two instalments, as we continue to finalise our plans for the World Cup.”