DOHA: Then there were five . . . Qatar’s World Cup organisers have unveiled the design for a fifth venue for the 2022 finals writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Whatever the various controversies about the hosting – whether workers conditions or winter timing – the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy is ploughing steadily ahead with its plans for the first sport mega event in the Middle East.

Al Rayyan . . . the latest design

Qatari and FIFA officials have still to decide how many stadia will be needed. The likelihood is eight or nine at most.

The Al Rayyan Stadium will be stand on the site of Al Rayyan Sports Club’s razed former home (Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium). Schedueld completion is the first quarter of 2019.

The 40,000-crowd stadium will be able to host matches up to the quarter-finals. Capacity will be cut to 21,000 after the finals with the upper tier of seats being offered to developing nations.

The stadium will feature cooling technology with 90pc of the rubble from the original stadium being reused.

Some of the materials will be offered to local and international artists to create works of art which reflect the history of the club.

Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary-general of the Supreme Committee, said: “[This] is another important step forward in our preparations.

“As one of the most successful and widely-supported clubs in Qatar, Al Rayyan has always played an important part in our hosting plans.

“We are very confident that this impressively designed stadium and precinct will become a landmark for the Al Rayyan area and benefit the entire community.”

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