Al-Janoub Stadium

Al-Janoub Stadium (Arabic: استاد الجنوب‎), formerly known as Al-Wakrah Stadium (Arabic: ملعب الجنوب‎), is a 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-British 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.

History

Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010. It would become the first Muslim-majority country and the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup. Qatar previously did not have the sporting capability for the Cup, and as such 8 new stadiums are expected to be built to prepare for the Cup.

The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019, during the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd SC and Al-Duhail SC played in front of an audience of 38,678 people, making it the second stadium to be completed after Al Khalifa International Stadium. This match was attended by the Emir (head of state) of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

In December 2020, Al Janoub Stadium hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League Final.