DOHA, June 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Qatar announced the completion of its
third stadium for the 2022 World Cup, state media reported late
Thursday, as the emirate prepared to mark three years of a regional
feud.
Education City stadium had been due to host the semi-final of the
Club World Cup on December 18, but its opening was postponed because
of delays to certification.
“The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and the Qatar
Foundation announce the completion of the preparations for the third
FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, located in Education City,” the state-run
Qatar News Agency reported.
The Education City ground, named for the surrounding university and
research campuses, will host fixtures through to the quarter-finals.
After the tournament, half of its 40,000 seats will be donated to
build stadiums in developing countries.
Two and a half years before the World Cup kicks off, Qatar has
already launched the brand new 40,000-capacity Al-Janoub stadium and
the refurbished Khalifa International ground.
Five new stadiums remain under construction.
Friday marked the third anniversary of a Saudi-led effort to
isolate Qatar over claims it supports radical Islamist movements and
is too close to Iran. Doha denies the claims.
On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia along with Bahrain, the United Arab
Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties, closed their airspace and
borders to Qatar and severed economic links.
Despite several signs of reconciliation, including Saudi, the UAE
and Bahrain participating in a regional football tournament in Doha
last year, the dispute remains deadlocked.