Doha: The Ahmad bin Ali World Cup Stadium will host the Qatar national team's match against the UAE tomorrow, Thursday, at 7:00 PM. This is the first match of Group A in the third and final stage of the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Fans can look forward to an exciting experience from the stands of this world-class stadium, known for its captivating design both inside and out. The stadium, which gained global acclaim during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has a seating capacity of over 40,000 and provided fans with an exceptional experience during important matches in the tournament. The stadium has previously hosted significant events, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, the 2022 World Cup, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, as well as the African and Turkish Super Cups and the prestigious Emir of Qatar Cup. It will now witness a new chapter for Qatari football as the team embarks on their journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, startin g with a crucial match against the UAE, where securing full points will be key to beginning their campaign on a strong note. The choice of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium for this match is symbolic, as the venue offers many incentives for fans to attend and support their team. The stadium is expected to echo with the cheers of Qatari fans, who will be a vital source of strength for the team as they face the challenges of this decisive qualification stage. What makes the stadium even more remarkable is its reflection of Qatar's cultural and traditional heritage, especially in the design of its exterior, which mimics the undulating dunes of the desert, along with geometric patterns that evoke the beauty of the local landscape and wildlife. Inside the stadium, the temperature is controlled using an eco-friendly cooling system through a central plant with a cooling capacity of 16,000 tons. This system supplies chilled water to numerous air handling units around the venue, ensuring the desired temperature for both the st ands and the pitch. Moreover, more than 80% of the construction materials used were recycled from the original Al Rayyan Club stadium that previously occupied the site. The trees surrounding the old stadium were carefully preserved, and additional green spaces and trees were added to provide a pleasant environment for fans, who can also enjoy dining at various international restaurants or shopping at the nearby Mall of Qatar and metro station. The stadium's seats are painted red and black, reflecting the colors of Al Rayyan Sports Club, a prominent sports institution with a rich history in Qatari sports. The area is home to various sports facilities, including six football pitches, a cricket ground, an equestrian track, a cycling track, fitness equipment, a 2.6 km athletics track, and a walking path, among other amenities that serve as a legacy for the stadium and the local community. The stadium achieved a significant milestone in safety and security standards, completing 23 million work hours between May 2019 and October 2022. This highlights the precision of the work during the construction period and the exceptional technical supervision by all the engineers, who poured their expertise and capabilities into making the stadium appear in its finest form, rivaling, if not surpassing, many of the world's most luxurious stadiums. When fans visit this stadium, located in the Al Rayyan area, 22 km from downtown Doha, they will be able to travel via the environmentally friendly Doha Metro, enhancing the sustainable experience. In addition, other means of transportation, such as taxis and buses, will be available to transport fans from various locations to the metro stations and directly to the stadium. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which has a capacity of over 40,000 spectators, hosted its first World Cup match between the USA and Wales in the opening match of Group B, followed by Belgium and Canada in Group F. It also hosted Wales vs. Iran in the second round of Group B matches. The stadium also hosted the match betwe en Japan and Costa Rica in the second round of Group E matches, followed by Wales vs. England in the final match of Group B, and Croatia vs. Belgium in the third and final match of Group F. The last match hosted by Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar was the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Australia, after which the stadium concluded its role in the tournament, having hosted 7 matches since the tournament began on November 20, 2022. The stadium also hosted several matches during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which saw the participation of 24 teams. In the first round of the group stage, it hosted the match between Australia and India, followed by matches between India and Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia in the second round. It also hosted the Round of 16 match between Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia, the quarterfinal match between Tajikistan and Jordan, and the semifinal match between Jordan and South Korea. In the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium hosted the matc hes between Tunisia and Mauritania, and Algeria and Sudan in the first round of the tournament, as well as the match between Jordan and Morocco in the second round, and the match between Oman and Bahrain in the third round. The stadium hosted the Turkish Super Cup match in January 2021, where Besiktas defeated Antalyaspor on penalties (5-3) after a 1-1 draw in regular time. This match was the first to be held outside Turkey and Europe. The stadium also hosted the CAF Super Cup match between Egypt's Al Ahly and Morocco's Raja Casablanca in December 2021, where Al Ahly won on penalties (6-5) after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In domestic competitions, the stadium hosted the final of the 48th edition of the Emir Cup on December 18, 2020, where Al Sadd won the title by defeating Al Arabi (2-1). This event coincided with the inauguration of the stadium, which was officially opened for the World Cup on Qatar's National Day, making it the fourth stadium to be inaugurated for the tournament. The stadium was also the venue for the final of the 51st edition of the Emir Cup in 2023, where Al Arabi defeated Al Sadd with a 3-0 victory. The stadium is now ready to host Qatari fans supporting the national team on its journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It has been adorned with Qatari colors to encourage the fans, and the stands have been prepared to resonate with the cheers of the crowd during the match between Al Annabi and the UAE. Source: Qatar News Agency
Wednesday, November 06, 2024