• The 974 Stadium, which will host matches during the World Cup in Qatar. All photos: Getty
    The 974 Stadium, which will host matches during the World Cup in Qatar. All photos: Getty
  • Nine hundred and seventy-four shipping containers have been used in the construction of the 974 Stadium.
    Nine hundred and seventy-four shipping containers have been used in the construction of the 974 Stadium.
  • Seven matches will be played there.
    Seven matches will be played there.
  • The concourse of the 974 Stadium, where shipping containers have been used in the construction.
    The concourse of the 974 Stadium, where shipping containers have been used in the construction.
  • Inside the empty stadium, where the cheers of fans will soon ring out.
    Inside the empty stadium, where the cheers of fans will soon ring out.
  • Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is another Qatar venue for teams to battle it out on the pitch.
    Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is another Qatar venue for teams to battle it out on the pitch.
  • It will also host seven World Cup matches.
    It will also host seven World Cup matches.
  • Seats waiting to be filled with cheering supporters at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.
    Seats waiting to be filled with cheering supporters at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.
  • The Education City Stadium in Qatar.
    The Education City Stadium in Qatar.

Sport

Football

974 shipping containers part of unique World Cup 2022 stadium in Qatar

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium set to be dismantled entirely after the conclusion of the tournament

The National

March 31, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are getting ready just as the qualification process for the showpiece event reaches its last stages and the draw is made on Friday.

This will be the first World Cup to be held in the Mena region, and a chance for organisers to showcase.

The venues for the World Cup finals have attracted a lot of attention, none more than the 974 Stadium.

The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, as it is officially known, has a capacity of 40,000 and its most salient feature is that it is a 'pop-up' stadium built out of shipping containers on Doha's waterfront and will be dismantled after the World Cup.

The number 974 is significant as it the international dialling code for Qatar and also the number of containers used for the stadium's construction.

The venue also has removable seats and other modular ‘building blocks’. According to Fifa, local organisers plan to renovate the site of the stadium into a waterfront development for the local community.

Earlier, the Lusail Stadium was unveiled to the public. It is main venue for the 2022 World Cup, with a 80,000-capacity, and will host the final on December 18.

Organisers plan to take its legacy beyond the region by removing and donating most of the stadium's 80,000 seats to sporting projects across the world.

The tournament will be held from November 21 to December 18 in eight venues. The other stadiums are the Al Thumama Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Education City Stadium, and the Al Janoub Stadium.

  • Stadium 974 in Doha that will host matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. It has a capacity of 40,000. AFP
    Stadium 974 in Doha that will host matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. It has a capacity of 40,000. AFP
  • The Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Khalifa International Stadium. AFP
    The Khalifa International Stadium. AFP
  • The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 45,000. AFP
    The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 45,000. AFP
  • The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. AFP
    The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. AFP
  • The Lusail Stadium is around 20 km north of Doha. Capacity: 80,000. AFP
    The Lusail Stadium is around 20 km north of Doha. Capacity: 80,000. AFP
  • The Lusail Stadium in Qatar. AFP
    The Lusail Stadium in Qatar. AFP
  • The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Capacity: 60,000. AFP
    The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Capacity: 60,000. AFP
  • The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. AFP
    The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. AFP
  • The Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 44,000. AFP
    The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 44,000. AFP
  • The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. AFP
    The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. AFP
Updated: March 31, 2022, 10:55 AM
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