Qatar's 4th World Cup stadium is awaiting inauguration

Al-Rayyan Stadium is almost ready and awaiting inauguration. Al Rayyan Stadium is the fourth of the eight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums that have been completed.

The Al Rayyan Stadium will host the Amir Cup 2020 final between Al Arabi and Al Sadd SC on December 18, which is also Qatar's National Day.

Qatar 2022’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which is responsible for organising the next World Cup, has confirmed that the Al-Rayyan Stadium is all but ready, taking to Twitter with photos of the arena, one of eight being built for the event. As sporting activity prepares to recommence in Qatar after being interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the stadium can now get ready for its official inauguration at some point in the near future.

In its latest progress update, the Supreme Committee said the stadium’s façade is 99% complete, along with the sports facilities surrounding the venue, and mechanical, engineering and plumbing works.

The new stadium replaces the old Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, home of Al Rayyan SC. The last match in the old stadium was played in 2014, following which it got demolished and ground preparation works for the new stadium started. The final designs were presented in 2015, and foundation works started in late 2016.

Al Rayyan Stadium will have a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats. After the World Cup, nearly half of those will be removed again. Its standout feature is the facade that incorporates various symbols of Qatari culture and is inspired by the sand dunes of the nearby desert.