Qatar on Wednesday announced plans to build three new stadia and upgrade two more if its bid to host the 2022 World Cup is successful.
Qatar’s plans to use solar technology to power carbon-neutral technology to cool the stadiums and to make sure the temperature at the games does not rise above 27 degrees Celsius.
If the bid is successful the event will be the world’s first cooled outdoor global sporting event, it was announced at the Sport Accord convention in Dubai.
The new stadiums planned include Al-Shamal, which will accommodate 45,120 and will be located in the north of Qatar, the 45,330-seater Al-Khor stadium in the north east and the Al-Wakrah stadium, which will house 45,000 fans in the south of the country.
In addition, two existing stadiums will be expanded if Qatar wins the right to stage the FIFA World Cup. These include doubling the capacity of the Al Rayyan stadium in northwest of Doha to a capacity of 44,740 and doubling the capacity of the Al Gharafa stadium to 44,740.
“These plans show just how serious, innovative and focussed we are about hosting a FIFA World Cup that will deliver a fantastic experience for players, fans and the media,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairman of the Qatar 2022 bid.
“Our stadiums will have zero carbon cooling equipment utilising solar technology to ensure the temperature is no higher than 27 degrees Celsius, ensuring optimum playing conditions and a comfortable environment for fans.”
Hassan Abdulla Al Thawadi, chief executive of the Qatar 2022 bid, said the new stadiums would be linked with a new metro system and integrated into the bus network.
FIFA’s Executive Committee will vote on the locations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals on December 2, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland.
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