Al-Janoub Stadium, formerly known as Al-Wakrah Stadium, is a retractable roof football stadium in Al-Wakrah, Qatar that was inaugurated on 16 May 2019. This is the second among the eight stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after the renovation of Khalifa International Stadium. It was designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid together with the firm AECOM.
The stadium features a curvilinear postmodernist and neo-futurist design. The appearance of the roof was inspired by the sails of traditional Dhow boats, used by pearl divers from the region, weaving through currents of the Persian Gulf.
It will be the official seat of the football club Al-Wakrah SC, where matches for the Qatar Stars League will be held. The capacity of the stadium is 40,000, which is expected to reduce in half to 20,000 after the World Cup.
The stadium was part of Qatar’s bid to host the World Cup, and in 2013 definite plans were presented. First preparations to make the site ready for construction were started in 2014, but it took until 2016 for proper construction works to commence.
The stadium was scheduled to be completed in the last quarter of 2018, but some delays pushed that back to 2019. Al Janoub Stadium officially opened on 16 May 2019 with a match between Al-Duhail and Al-Sadd (4-1).
- Parking
