As Qatar continues to make progress on the
delivery of its venues for the 2022 FIFA
World Cup™, the new design for Al Rayyan
Stadium - the fifth proposed stadium for
world football's showpiece event in seven
years time - took place this week at a time
when the club is also celebrating its return
to top-flight football in the Qatar Stars
League.
Al Rayyan Stadium will be built on the site
of Al Rayyan Sports Club’s former stadium
(Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium), which was recently
demolished. During tournament mode, the
stadium will have a capacity of 40,000
spectators which will be able to host group
stage, Round of 16 and quarter final
matches. After the tournament the stadium’s
capacity will be reduced to 21,000 in legacy
mode, with the upper tier of seats being
removed and sent to developing nations in
need of sports infrastructure.
Speaking at the design launch, Hassan Al
Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme
Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said:
“Unveiling the design of Al Rayyan stadium
is another important step forward in our
preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World
Cup. We will continue to work tirelessly as
our vision for the tournament takes shape
on the ground.
“As one of the most successful and widely-
supported clubs in Qatar, Al Rayyan has
always played an important part in our
hosting plans. We are very confident that
this impressively designed stadium and
precinct will become a landmark for the Al
Rayyan area and benefit the entire
community.”
The stadium and surrounding precinct will
contain a number of facilities and features
that will be used by the local population of
Al Rayyan, including a mosque, members
club, athletics track, cricket pitch, tennis
courts, hockey pitch, football training
pitches, aquatics centre, skate park and
cycling track. The precinct will also house a
new branch of Aspetar – the leading sports
medicine hospital.
Talking to www.sc.qa, Al Rayyan’s Spanish
coach Manolo Jimenez confirmed that Al
Rayyan Sports Club was already feeling the
positive effects of receiving confirmation of
their future home: “This is an important
moment for the club. We’ll be aiming high in
the first division next season, and this new
stadium is more modern, more functional
and will have fantastic features. It will
motivate the club and the fans to do even
better. Now we start the Emir Cup on
Friday, and we want to go all the way and
reach the final and win it.”
The sense of optimism surrounding the most
widely supported club in Qatar was
confirmed by former Al Rayyan player
Ronald de Boer, who added: “It looks very
impressive, and I would like to be a player
again in this new stadium. It will be a
beautiful area in Qatar, also with the
developments planned around the stadium. I
believe the new stadium will also help to
bring more fans to the matches. I remember
playing in the old stadium with my brother
and Sonny Anderson, playing against the
likes of Guardiola and Batistuta. They are
great memories, and now the new design
looks amazing.”
Qatar revealed the first proposed host
venue design in November 2013 – Al
Wakrah Stadium. AECOM, in association
with Zaha Hadid Architects, developed the
design which reflects the tradition of the
city, famous for its fishing and seafaring
heritage. Currently, the site at Al Wakrah
has started to take on shape as the first
concrete was laid above ground in the
stadium which will seat 40,000 spectators.
The next design to be announced was Al
Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City. An entirely
Qatari concept, the traditional tent-shaped
design reflects the country’s proud history
and culture. It has a modular design, which
includes an upper tier of removable seats.
Meanwhile, Khalifa International Stadium
design was revealed in November 2014. The
reveal of Qatar Foundation Stadium, the
fourth stadium design, came exactly four
years to the day after Qatar celebrated its
successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World
Cup™.
With Al Rayyan Stadium now becoming the
fifth proposed host venue to have its final
design presented, the fans of one of Qatar’s
most beloved clubs are already looking
forward to the completion of their new
home. And so are the players, as ‘Lions’
attacking midfielder Rodrigo Tabata
confirmed after seeing the new design: “The
fans of Al Rayyan deserve this new stadium.
I hope I stay in the club long enough to
play in this new stadium. For me it would be
an amazing experience.

m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=4/news=qatar-unveils-design-of-fifth-proposed-venue-2593586.html

Hmmmmm