Lusail Stadium, which will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, will host at least two or possibly three trial events over the next four months leading up to the start of the tournament in Qatar, project manager Tamim Al Abed confirmed to AFP. .

For the first time in the Middle East, the gas-rich emirate will hold a unique version of winter time from November 21 to December 18, 2022.

Al-Abed indicated that the officials of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy organizing the World Cup are looking for the right time on the international agenda to address the issue.

In addition to the Lusail Stadium, Qatar has completed testing other seven stadiums in various tournaments such as the Club World Cup, Arab Cup and local competitions.

The project manager confirmed that FIFA does not require the stadium to be filled with fans during the trial event, stressing that holding the match at half capacity would be considered a very successful experience.

But Al-Abed added that bringing the pilot event to a large audience provides more opportunities for organizers to work under pressure, as well as educates operational teams on shortcomings and weaknesses to avoid them in the future.

Al-Abed said the stadium’s capacity ranges from 85 to 86,000 spectators, including 80,000 insured who have a completely unobstructed view of the playing field, as well as approximately 15,000 employees, workers and media representatives.

The stadium, which will host, in addition to the final, six group stage matches and three play-off matches, including one of the two semi-final matches, is located in Lusail, 15 km north of downtown Doha.

Al-Abed denied that the delay in the official opening caused any problems or additional costs, saying: “On the contrary, the delay gives us the opportunity to test the building and check all systems, especially that the stadium is equipped with sophisticated systems in cooling and television broadcasting, which require a few experiments and constant maintenance.”

He noted that the pilot events benefit primarily the volunteers and those in charge of the entrances, passing the masses, gates and places.

– Behind the red line –

Asked about the future of the stadium after the end of the World Cup, Al-Abed said: “There are studies on how to use the interior spaces of the building in the future. The stadium includes, in addition to the floor and stands, internal spaces, facilities, systems and infrastructure”, noting that “there are studies for the use of spaces”. different in terms of achieving financial returns, but they remain studies and ideas that need to be stabilized after the tournament in a way that also ensures sustainability and legacy.”

Al-Abed did not deny the possibility of the stadium remaining as it is after the World Cup, stressing that “Qatar will host gigantic events such as the 2030 Asian Games and it is possible that the building will remain a sports venue.”

Al-Abed touched on the vast open spaces around the stadium, saying: “The large capacity of the stadium requires comfortable movement of fans, access to the goals and the provision of all necessary services.”

The Project Manager also spoke about the mechanics of crowd movement to the stadium via the subway and said that access would be via the red line route to Lusail Station, which is only 600 meters from the stadium security gate, noting also that fans wishing to come by private car or taxis will have to stop at a station 3 km from the stadium, provided that private buses are provided to transport them to the stadium.

The design of the stadium was inspired by the play of light and shadow that characterizes the traditional Arabic lighthouse or fanous. Its structure and façade also reflect the intricate inscriptions on bowls and utensils, as well as other works of art found in the Arab and Islamic world during the rise of civilization in the region.