Al Thumama Stadium

Al-Janoub Stadium, formerly known as Al-Wakrah Stadium, was inaugurated on May 16, 2019, as a retractable roof football stadium in Al-Wakrah, Qatar. This is the second of Qatar’s eight 2022 FIFA World Cup venues, following the refurbishment of Khalifa International Stadium. It was designed by the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid in collaboration with AECOM.

The stadium includes a postmodernist and neo-futurist style with curved lines. The appearance of the roof was inspired by the sails of traditional Dhow boats, which were used by pearl divers from the region to navigate the Persian Gulf’s currents.

It will be the official home of Al-Wakrah SC, where matches in the Qatar Stars League will be played. After the World Cup, the stadium’s capacity is anticipated to be reduced by half to 20,000.

Architect Zaha Hadid and her architectural firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, created the stadium. “The stadium was planned in conjunction with a new district so that it lies at the centre of an urban extension of the city, creating community-based activities in and around the stadium on non-event days,” noted Zaha Hadid Architects.

According to the designers, it was inspired by the sails of historic Dhow boats, which were used by pearl divers in the region to navigate the Persian Gulf’s currents. In addition to alluding to Al Wakrah’s past as a port of call, the building’s exterior and roof are curved to evoke the impression of being on a ship. The roof is supported by curved beams that resemble a ship’s hull. The building is intended to mimic a cluster of overturned dhow hulls arranged to provide shade and protection. Zaha Hadid denied the claim that the design resembles female genitalia as “crazy.” The retractable roof of the stadium is built of pleated PTFE fabric and wires, with roof arches measuring 230 meters in length.

Due to Qatar’s hot and arid climate, the cooling system keeps stadium users from overheating. It can cool the spectator areas to 18 °C and the playing field to 20 °C. According to Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), “extensive micro-climate analysis inspired the design of the arena, with aerodynamics and effective shade from the roof, which features a small amount of glass, contributing significantly to temperature regulation.”

The sports complex features a multipurpose room with swimming pools and spas, as well as a shopping mall with green roofing. The entrance to the stadium will be located on a square with trees.

Alongside Al Janoub Stadium, a school, wedding hall, cycling, equestrian, and jogging tracks, restaurants, marketplaces, and fitness centers are scheduled to be constructed.

In 2010, Qatar was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It would be the first Muslim-majority nation and the first Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup. Due to Qatar’s lack of sporting infrastructure prior to the Cup, eight new stadiums are anticipated to be constructed in preparation for the tournament.

The stadium was opened on May 16, 2019, during the 2019 Amir Cup final between Al Sadd SC and Al-Duhail SC in front of 38,678 spectators, making it the second completed stadium after Al Khalifa International Stadium.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir (head of state) of Qatar, attended this match.

At the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, the stadium hosted the semifinals.

Al Janoub Stadium hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League Final in December 2020.

The stadium held six games at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

Al Janoub Stadium, like other stadiums built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has been the topic of criticism about the treatment and status of migrant workers employed on the building sites.

Amnesty International slams Qatar in a report for failing to investigate, redress, and prevent the deaths of migrant workers.

On September 8, 2020, Qatar implemented migrant reforms applicable to all workers regardless of nationality. According to Qatar’s new labor rules, a worker’s basic minimum salary cannot be less than one thousand riyals. Food allowances (300 riyals) must be included in the basic wage of workers who are only provided with housing and not with food. In addition, Qatar implemented a wage protection system to ensure that companies comply with the reforms and to assist, guide, and safeguard the rights of workers. The MOL and the public health created a strategy on occupational safety and health to promote more strategic, integrated, and data-driven initiatives. Independent experts, such as the International Labor Organization and international labor organizations, have acknowledged that Qatar has made a variety of steps to strengthen worker protections.

• Capacity: 40,000
• Location: Al Thumama Stadium, 12km south of central Doha

World Cup Qatar 2022 – Matches on Al Thumama Stadium

• 21 November  Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (1900 local time)
• 23 November  Group E: Spain v Costa Rica (1900 local time)
• 25 November  Group A: Qatar v Senegal (1600 local time)
• 27 November  Group F: Belgium v Morocco (1600 local time)
• 29 November  Group B: Iran v USA (2200 local time)
• 1 December  Group F: Canada v Morocco (1800 local time)
• 4 December  Round of 16: 1D v 2C (1800 local time)
• 10 December  Quarter-final: W55 v W57 (1800 local time)