The Peninsula
The new Al Wakrah Stadium will be officially inaugurated on Thursday when Qatar football giants Al Sadd take on Al Duhail in the Amir Cup final.
This was announced by officials of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Qatar Football Association (QFA) at a joint press conference yesterday.
The new Al Wakrah Stadium - one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches - is a short distance from the Al Wakrah Hospital and easily accessible via the newly-launched Doha Metro and by other means of transport.
The new venue is the first 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium to be built from scratch.
“All arrangements have been completed and we are ready to see the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Duhail on Thursday,” Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communication, QFA, said yesterday at a press conference.
“We congratulate the two teams on reaching the Amir Cup final but when these two teams arrive on the pitch, we will have another 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium ready,” Al Kuwari added.
“We are looking forward to sampling the incredible atmosphere during the final. This is a match – and a special occasion – not to be missed,” he added.
Jassim Al Jassim, the SC’s Head of Venues Operations, said yesterday: “I would like to thank the thousands of people and numerous stakeholders that have worked tirelessly to prepare Al Wakrah Stadium for this match. It has been a feat of collaboration, organisation and determination to get this magnificent stadium ready for inauguration.
He added: “I am certain that in 2022 Al Wakrah Stadium will be one of the most iconic venues at the World Cup, and it gives us all a sense of great pride to be opening the second Qatar 2022 stadium with three-and-a-half years to go. I look forward to working together with all our stakeholders, friends and colleagues over the coming years to enjoy many more momentous occasions.”
In recent times visitors to the brand new World Cup venue include FIFA President Gianni Infantino and football coach Jose Mourinho among others. Two years ago, Qatar unveiled its first venue for the Amir Cup final when the iconic Khalifa International Stadium went under massive renovation. FIFA President - a regular visitor to Qatar - was present at the opening ceremony of the Khalifa International Stadium.
The new Al Wakrah Stadium has a seating capacity for 40,000 spectators, and yesterday QFA announced ‘95 percent of the tickets’ for the Amir Cup had been sold out.
On Saturday, Al Sadd beat Al Rayyan 2-0 while on Sunday Al Duhail thrashed Al Sailiya 3-0 to claim their places in the Amir Cup final. The Amir Cup final on Thursday is expected to be the last active game for Barcelona legend Xavi, who is the captain of Al Sadd side.
Al Kuwari said the Amir Cup final kick-off has been set for 10:30pm.
The tickets for the 2019 Amir Cup final are still available to the public until May 15 via www.qfa.qa, Al Kuwari informed at the press conference.
Tickets can also be purchased at Qatar Mall, Villaggio, Festival City, City Center, Souk Waqif, Ezdan Mall and Al Wakra.
The tickets available are priced at QR100, QR50, QR30 and QR20.