The inspiration behind Qatar’s FIFA World Cup stadiums

24 November 2022

The inspiration behind Qatar’s FIFA World Cup stadiums

While all eyes are on the football taking place at the FIFA World Cup, the eye-catching stadiums have been generating plenty of interest in themselves.

Here’s the story behind each stadium’s design inspiration as well as the plans for after the tournament.

Al Bayt Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 19: A general view Al Bayt Stadium on December 19, 2019 at Al Khor City, Qatar. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

This was the venue for the opening game and it will also play host to one of the semi-finals. The design resembles a tent that was used historically by nomadic people in Qatar and the broader Gulf region.

The stadium also boasts a retractable roof to complement the impressive cooling technologies where there was heavy investment to allay concerns about the temperatures in Qatar.

It’s currently a 60 000-seat venue, but after the tournament it will be downsized to 40 000 as it’s been constructed in a way that the upper tier can be removed and repurposed for other sporting facilities.

Lusail Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 20: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Lusail Stadium at sunrise on June 20, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The 80,000-seat stadium, designed by Foster + Partners studio, will host the final game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

With a capacity of 80 000, this is the largest stadium for the tournament and it will host the final.

The design is inspired by the light and shadow of a traditional fanar lantern which also contains additional decorations resembling those found on local artistic bowls.

The stadium opened this year and has seating in three different tiers. While the roof offers extensive protection from dust and warm wind, it’s also made from material that allows for light to come in and help natural grass to grow.

After the tournament, the space will be transformed into an area for shops, schools, health clinics and sporting facilities.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 23: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Ahmad Bin Ali stadium at sunset on June 23, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Ahmad Bin Ali stadium, designed by Pattern Design studio is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

This 45 000-capacity stadium was opened two years ago after taking the place of another stadium that was in the same spot with more than 90% of construction materials reused or recycled from the old arena.

The design reflects the undulations of sand dunes with other geometric patterns that represent the beauty of the desert.

After the tournament, it will be used as the home for Al Rayyan – Qatar’s second most successful football club behinds Al-Sadd.

Al Janoub Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 21: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Al Janoub stadium at sunrise on June 21, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. Al Janoub stadium is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The city’s history of seafaring is the inspiration for the design of this 40 000-seat stadium with the cover resembling the sails of traditional Dhow boats that are used by pearl divers in the Persian Gulf.

The stadium boasts a retractable roof that weighs over 400 tonnes. Following the tournament, it will be downsized to 20 000 seats and be used as the home for the football club Al-Wakrah.

Al Thumama Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 22: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Al Thumama stadium at sunset on June 22, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Designed by the architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, the stadium’s bold, circular form reflects the gahfiya – a traditional woven cap adorned by men and boys all across the Middle East for centuries. Al Thumama stadium is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

This unique stadium represents a gahfiya, a traditional woven cap worn by men throughout the Middle East. The design also helps the venue’s cooling technology.

After the tournament, half of the seats will be removed and the upper stands will be replaced by a boutique hotel with views onto the field.

Education City Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 22: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Education City stadium at sunrise on June 22, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Education City stadium, designed by Fenwick-Iribarren Architects and Pattern Design studio, is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The distinctive feature of this stadium is the design of the triangles that form diamond-like geometric patterns that appear to change colour depending on the position of the sun.

At night, the façade turns into a digital light show.

In what’s become a running theme for most of these venues, 20 000 seats will be removed after the tournament with the top tier of the stadium turning into university classrooms.

Khalifa International Stadium

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 23: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Khalifa Stadium stadium at sunrise on June 22, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Khalifa Stadium stadium is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

This is the only one of the FIFA World Cup venues that was an existing stadium that’s been repurposed for the tournament.

It was originally built in 1976 and was redeveloped in 2017 for Qatar 2022. The main addition was a wide canopy to support the air conditioning system. Another added feature for the fans is the LED lighting system.

Stadium 974

DOHA, QATAR – JUNE 21: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of 974 stadium at sunset on June 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. 974 stadium is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November. This FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue, degned by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, is constructed using 974 certified shipping echoing the nearby port and Doha’s long maritime history. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

This unique stadium is named after the region’s international dialling code and is made entirely from shipping containers. This will be the first FIFA World Cup stadium that will be fully removed after the tournament.

Many of the materials needed for the venue’s construction were brought in containers that were used in the actual building.

There are natural wind patterns in the location, so unlike the other stadiums, this one uses the breezes for ventilation as opposed to cooling technology.

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