Al Janoub Stadium – tournament stadium description

How was Al Janoub Stadium built?

Ground and foundation work began in March 2014, and the actual construction of the stadium (initially associated with the name Al Wakrah Stadium) began in January 2016. The facility was inaugurated on May 16, 2019, and the Emirates Cup final was played on its opening. The stadium was ready for the World Cup as the second of all tournament venues (after Khalifa International Stadium) and the first among stadiums built from scratch.

What are the characteristics of Al Janoub Stadium?

The venue is located in Al-Wakra, a city near Doha on the Persian Gulf (the stadium is less than 20 km from the centre of the capital). It is the southernmost arena of the Qatari World Cup, a reference to which can also be found in its name (Al Janoub Stadium - 'the stadium of the south').

The stadium was designed by the renowned studio of Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid (this was the first stadium in the firm's portfolio) in collaboration with AECOM. The architecture of the building draws on local traditions - in Al-Wakra, people have been fishing and pearl diving for centuries, using traditional 'dhow' sailing boats, characteristic of the region.

Patterns taken from these sailboats inspired the form of the stadium and became its leitmotif. From the outside, the domed roof is designed to resemble sailboats, from below the structure evokes the hull of a ship, and the seats in the stands form a composition similar to sea waves.

The stadium has received a lot of publicity for the interpretation of its appearance, which, however, differs significantly from the official version. Shortly after the visualisation was published (autumn 2013), comparisons of the stadium's exterior to female genitalia appeared in the media, suggesting that it was closer to a woman's vagina than to a traditional boat. There was even speculation that it was a feminist manifesto to draw attention to women's rights in the Middle East. However, Zaha Hadid strongly denied such reports.

As one of the two World Cup venues (alongside Al Bayt Stadium), the stadium has been equipped with a retractable roof. The innovative system is somewhat reminiscent of the one used, for example, at the National Stadium in Warsaw. The folded membrane is hidden in two places, under the fixed roof, above the stands behind the goals, from where it extends towards the main beam suspended over the centre of the pitch. The process of closing the roof takes about half an hour. Apart from protecting against possible rain, the more important role of the enclosed roof is to support the interior cooling system.

The stands surrounding the pitch have been divided into two tiers and can accommodate 44,325 spectators. LED screens have been installed in two opposite corners. After the championships, the upper level of the stands will be dismantled. From the outside, the stadium is surrounded by green areas, which form the largest park in Al-Wakra.

How will Al Janoub Stadium be used?

On a day-to-day basis, the venue is hosted by Al Wakrah SC club. The stadium has already managed to host, among others, the Gulf Cup semi-final in 2019, the AFC Champions League final in 2020 and Arab Nations Cup matches in 2021. During the 2022 World Cup, the stadium will host six group matches and one round of 16 game. After the tournament, the upper level of the stands will be dismantled.

What matches will take place at Al Janoub Stadium during the 2022 World Cup?

How Al Janoub Stadium compares to other World Cup 2022 venues?