DOHA:  As 2018 FIFA World Cup is set to start in Russia from June 14, preparations for next football mega event – Qatar 2022 – are moving forward at the fast pace in Qatar with Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy beating all odds created by unjust blockade.

The construction work at various 2022 FIFA World Cup venues is in full swing while the Supreme Committee’s dedicated commitment is also making new marks regarding Qatar 2022 legacy.

In the recent weeks, roof installed at Al Wakrah Stadium, Al Rayyan Stadium’s roof structure installation began, Al Thumama Stadium won prestigious international architectural accolade, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium’s main contractor was announced, Khalifa International Stadium celebrated first anniversary among other developments.

The development of Al Wakrah Stadium took a major step forward with the installation of the final piece of the roof structure. The SC announced on May 21 that main contractor works at the 40,000 capacity venue, which will host matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022, are due to finish within the next 12 months. In addition, all the stadium’s seats have been manufactured by Qatari company Coastal and are currently being installed.

Al Thumama Stadium, a proposed host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, received the prestigious MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Project Award in the sport and stadiums category last month. The award was received during a ceremony in Cannes, France, by the stadium’s designer, and Chief Architect of Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), Ibrahim Mohammed Jaidah, who attended on behalf of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).

Another achievement recently accomplished by the SC was the naming of a new construction material after 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar stadium. The unique construction fabric used in Al Bayt Stadium will be named after the iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar proposed venue. The state-of-the-art material made by Serge Ferrari Group in France will be known across the world as Bayt Line.

On May 23, the SC also announced beginning of installation of the roof at Al Rayyan Stadium. Al Rayyan Stadium will be the first building in Qatar to have a tensile-compression ring structure, and also features an inner perimeter with no columns and no obstructions between spectators and the field of play.

Located approximately 20km west of Doha, Al Rayyan Stadium will host matches up to the quarter-finals stage during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.  Post-2022, almost half of the stadium’s 40,000 modular seats will be removed and given to football development projects abroad. The smaller post-tournament arena will enable popular QNB Stars League side Al Rayyan to maintain the intense passion its fans are famous for.

In another major development occurred recently, Qatari firm HBK Contracting Company (HBK) was awarded the main works contract for Ras Abu Aboud Stadium.The 40,000-seat venue will be built using modular building blocks, making it the first fully demountable FIFA World Cup stadium in history. Located in a 450,000m² water-front site with exceptional views over Doha’s skyline, the stadium will host matches up to the quarter-finals in 2022.

Construction work at Education City Stadium is also going in full swing and the Supreme Committee announced last week that the construction of Education City Stadium was on track following the recent installation of 44 V-shaped columns.

The SC also announced last week that construction at Lusail Stadium, the proposed host venue for both the opening match and final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, is progressing rapidly.

“Work on the substructure of the 80,000-seat stadium has surpassed 75% and the west stand, which contains the VVIP, VIP and media tribunes, among other elements, is visibly rising up from the ground to reach an imposing elevation of more than 70 metres,” it announced regarding Lusail Stadium.