Khalifa International Stadium

Khalifa International Stadium (Arabic: ملعب خليفة الدولي), also known as National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Doha, Qatar. It is part of the Doha Sports City complex, which also comprises Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and Aspire Tower. It is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. This venue hosted the 2011 AFC Asian Cup championship match. It achieved a four-star certification from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) in 2017, making it the first organization in the world to receive this level. The stadium employs around 30,000 people.

Since 1976, Khalifa International Venue has been Qatar’s primary football stadium. The stadium was constructed to serve as the premier site for the 1976 Gulf Cup, which was hosted in Qatar and had an initial capacity of 20,000.

The stadium has been rebuilt multiple times throughout the years, most notably for the 2006 Asian Games, which raised seating capacity to 40,000.

During the 2011 Asian Cup, the Khalifa International Stadium hosted various matches, including the final between Japan and Australia (1-0).

Khalifa International Stadium has served as the primary site for the Qatar national team and has also held international friendlies of other teams, such Argentina and Brazil, on occasion.

When Qatar was granted the 2022 World Cup in 2010, it seemed obvious that Khalifa International Stadium would be recommended as one of the playing locations, despite the need for major renovations.

Works on the stadium began in 2014 and included the renovation of all stands, the addition of seats and hospitality facilities, and the installation of a big, revolutionary roof membrane that covers 70% of the stadium. The distinctive arch of the stadium was replaced and supplemented with two additional arches.

The construction was completed in the summer of 2017, making it the first 2022 World Cup stadium to be built.

Khalifa International Stadium hosted the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2019.

The Khalifa International Stadium is the first of eight stadiums to be developed in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

• Capacity: 40,000
• Location: Aspire, 5km west of central Doha

World Cup Qatar 2022 – Matches on Khalifa International Stadium

• 21 November Group B: England v Iran (16:00 local time)
• 23 November Group E: Germany v Japan (16:00 local time)
• 25 November Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador (19:00 local time)
• 27 November Group F: Croatia v Canada (19:00 local time)
• 29 November Group A: Ecuador v Senegal (18:00 local time)
• 1 December Group E: Japan v Spain (22:00 local time)
• 3 December Round of 16: 1A v 2B (18:00 local time)
• 17 December 3rd Place (18:00 local time)

History

The stadium held all 15 matches of the eleventh Gulf Cup, which Qatar won for the first time in 1992. Before the 2006 Asian Games, it was refurbished and enlarged in 2005 to boost its seating capacity from 20,000 to 40,000. A roof covers the stadium’s western side. During the opening ceremony of the 2006 Asian Games, fireworks were launched from a massive arch located on the eastern side of the structure.

Prior to its 2005 refurbishment, the stadium was mostly used for association football (soccer) events, although it is now prepared for a variety of sports. Since 1997, the stadium has hosted the annual Doha Diamond League track and field tournament (formerly known by different names). It is the home stadium of the Qatar national football team. The stadium held six games at the 2011 Pan Arab Games, including all of Qatar’s group-stage matches and the tournament’s quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

In May of 2017, after another renovation, the stadium reopened.

In September and October of 2019, the 2019 World Athletics Championships were held in the stadium.

The stadium was slated to host two 2019 FIFA Club World Cup matches on 17 December 2019: the fifth-place match and the semi-final between the CONMEBOL Libertadores champion and the winner of Match 3. It finally hosted the final, which Liverpool FC won 1-0 over Flamengo to win the World Cup. Following the selection to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it was envisioned that the stadium’s capacity would be increased to 68,000, however this plan has since been altered.

How to get to Khalifa Stadium

The Khalifa International Stadium is located in the west of Doha, approximately 10 kilometers from the city center (such as the Souq Waqif and Corniche) and 18 kilometers from the farther north The Pearl development.

The stadium is accessible via metro. Station Sports City is part of the recently inaugurated Gold line that goes through the heart of Doha.