DOHA: The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the ASPIRE Zone Foundation – the stadium’s delivery organisation – have announced the beginning of main contractor works on the project to renovate Khalifa International stadium, the third proposed Host Venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™.

The renovation includes revamping the venue to encompass a seating capacity of 40,000 during the tournament and become compliant with FIFA’s stadium requirements to be able to host group stage, round of 16 and quarter finals matches.

The SC will unveil the new stadium design for Khalifa International stadium in collaboration with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) at a dinner hosted in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, on 24 November 2014 on the side-lines of the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations, in the presence of HE Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the heads of GCC football federations and a number of officials and dignitaries from various countries in the region.

HE Salah Bin Ghanim Al Ali, Qatar’s Minister of Youth and Sport said that the announcement of the new design of Khalifa International Stadium in Riyadh is the embodiment of the role played by sport in uniting peoples and deepening links between them. “This stadium, which was founded to host the 1976 Gulf Cup, has always reflected the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The opening ceremony was attended by the then King of Saudi Arabia, HRH Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The unveiling of the new stadium design in Riyadh is another milestone in that relationship and further represents the strong brotherly ties that unite the Gulf and the entire region ahead of the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East.”

Commenting on the announcement, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani, President of the QFA, said: “We would like to thank the Kingdom for hosting such a prestigious event, which reflects that the countries and people in the region stand by Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all the best to our brothers in Saudi Arabia in the organisation of the Gulf Cup of Nations. We are confident players and spectators will witness an excellent tournament.”

For his part, Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: “We are excited to see everything come together to begin main contractor works on the third proposed Host Venue equipped to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Every new project brings us one step closer to hosting the first ever FIFA World Cup in the Middle East, and also reflects the size of the effort to fulfil Qatar’s pledge to host a memorable tournament for the region eight years from now.”

A joint venture between Midmac Contracting and a subsidiary of the Belgian Besix Group, Six Construct, is overseeing main contractor works on the stadium. Dar Al Handasah and Projacs are the Design Consultant and Project Manager respectively. The project, which will include the addition of innovative cooling technology to the stadium to provide ideal conditions for players and fans during the tournament, is expected to be completed in 2016.

Hilal Jeham Al Kuwari, President of the ASPIRE Zone Foundation, confirmed that the project to renovate Khalifa International Stadium will strengthen its position as one of the most prominent sport facilities in Qatar and the region.

“Since its inception four decades ago, Khalifa International Stadium has played a prominent role in hosting major sporting events, including Gulf Cups, Asian Cups and the Asian Games. Today, we seek to renovate Khalifa International Stadium to enter sporting events history as a proposed host venue for matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are confident that the renovation project will enable the stadium to continue to host global sports competitions long after 2022.”

Khalifa International Stadium is the third proposed 2022 FIFA World Cup™ Host Venue whose design will be unveiled following Al Wakrah and Al Bayt – Al Khor City Stadiums. Work is now underway in different stages on five proposed Host Venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™.