Al Janoub Stadium is a retractable roof stadium in Al-Wakrah, Qatar. Al-Wakrah Stadium was its previous name. It is one of the eight stadiums selected for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup. The traditional dhow boat-shaped venue will host 7 football matches during the event.
The stadium is located 23 km from central Doha and 15 km from the capital’s southern limit. When redesigning, Zaha Hadid took inspiration from the dhow boats, found in the Gulf Region. The architect then integrated the boat’s historic appearance with the arena’s modern design. The end result was a breathtaking stadium that drew tens of thousands of football fans.
The stadium was inaugurated in 2019, with the Amir Cup final. It was the second complete stadium after Al Khalifa International Stadium. It also hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League final 2020. The following year, the stadium hosted six matches for FIFA Arab Cup 2021.
There is a beautiful park to greet coming fans, surrounding the stadium. To provide better shade and an eco-friendly vibe, approximately 800 trees were planted. The stadium boasts a capacity of 40,000 seats. During renovation period, most of the interior timbers were replaced with PVC for a stronger structural foundation.
Al Janoub is also equipped with a retractable membrane roof, to circumvent extreme weather conditions. It has its own internal advanced cooling system, that creates a micro-climate inside. The system is capable of cooling the spectator area down to 18 degrees Celsius, while the field of play to 20 degrees Celsius. The complex is also equipped with a multipurpose room, with swimming pools and spas. It also contains a shopping center with green roofs.
Al Janoub Stadium Informations:
| Full Name | Al Janoub Stadium |
| Location | Al-Wakrah, Qatar |
| Architect | Zaha Hadid Architects, AECOM |
| Capacity | 40,000 |
| Construction Began | March 2014 |
| Stadium Opened | 30 April 2019 |
| Structural Engineer | Maffeis Engineering |
| Contractors | MIDMAC, PORR Qatar, Six Construct |
Achievements:
For its innovative design and features, Al Janoub stadium received a Class-A rating from the Global Sustainability System (GSAS). The association also recently issued a gold standard certification for the stadium’s operational performance by the Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD). Al Janoub is the first 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium to be awarded three GSAS certifications. Qatar’s Supreme Committee has also complemented its unique overheating prevention method.
2022 FIFA World Cup in the Al Janoub Stadium:
| Date | Time (AST) | Match |
| 22 November | 22:00 | France vs. Australia |
| 24 November | 13:00 | Switzerland vs. Cameroon |
| 26 November | 13:00 | Tunisia vs. Australia |
| 28 November | 13:00 | Cameroon vs. Serbia |
| 30 November | 18:00 | Australia vs. Denmark |
| 2 December | 18:00 | Ghana vs. Uruguay |
| 5 December | 18:00 | Winner Gr.E vs. Runners-Up Gr.F |
After the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s completion, the stadium will become Al-Wakrah Sport Club’s home ground. First, the seating capacity will also be reduced from 40,000 to 20,000. Following this, the stadium will be further utilized as a common venue for Qatar Star League matches. The unused spaces will be utilized to build a school, wedding hall, cycling, horse riding, and riding tracks.
The eagerly awaited quadrennial international football tournament, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is set to take place in Qatar on November 21 this year. Stay tuned to our website for the most up-to-date information about the event.
- Related: Al Bayt Stadium
