Al Janoub Stadium Explained

Al-Janoub Stadium
Mapframe-Wikidata:yes
Fullname:Al-Janoub Stadium
Former Names:Al-Wakrah Stadium (2019 - 2020)
Location:Al Wakrah, Qatar
Broke Ground:2014
Built:2014–2019
Opened:16 May 2019[1]
Renovated:2019
Surface:Grass
Architect:Zaha Hadid
Main Contractors:Midmac Contracting Co.Six Construct QatarPorr Qatar Construction
Capacity:44,325[2]
Record Attendance:43,443 (Ghana vs Uruguay, 2 December 2022)
Dimensions:105 x 68 m
Tenants:Al-Wakrah SC (2020 - present)
Qatar national football team (selected matches)
Native Name:ملعب الجنوب

Al-Janoub Stadium (Arabic: استاد الجنوب|Istād al-Janūb|Stadium of the South),[3] formerly known as Al-Wakrah Stadium, is a retractable-roof football stadium in al-Wakrah, Qatar that was inaugurated on 16 May 2019. This was the second of the eight stadiums inaugurated for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after the renovation of Khalifa International Stadium.[4] It was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid (1950–2016) together with the firms AECOM[5] and Jain & Partners of Dubai.

The stadium features a curvilinear postmodernist and neo-futurist design. The appearance of the roof was inspired by the sails of traditional dhows used by pearl divers from the region, weaving through currents of the Persian Gulf.[6]

It is the official headquarters of the football club Al-Wakrah SC, where the matches of the Qatar Stars League will be held. The capacity of the stadium is 20,000; the capacity was 40,000 before the World Cup.[7]

The stadium is located about 22 km south of Doha.[8]

History

Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010, becoming the first Muslim country and the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup.[9] Qatar previously did not have the sporting capability for the Cup, and 8 new stadiums were built for the Cup.[10]

The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019, during the 2019 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 Khalifa International Stadium.[11] This match was attended by the Emir (head of state) of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[12] [13]

The stadium hosted a semifinal match at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.[14]

In December 2020, Al Janoub Stadium hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League Final.[15]

The stadium hosted six matches of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.[16]

Design

The stadium was designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, and her architectural firm, Zaha Hadid Architects.[17] Zaha Hadid Architects stated that “The stadium was designed in conjunction with a new precinct so that it sits at the heart of an urban extension of the city, creating community-based activities in and around the stadium on non-event days.”[18]

According to the designers, it was inspired by the sails of traditional Dhow boats, used by pearl divers from the region, weaving through currents of the Persian Gulf.[19] The curvilinear roof and exterior references Al Wakrah's history of seafaring, additionally giving spectators the feeling on being on a ship.[20] Bowed beams hold up the roof, resembling a ship's hull.[21] The building is meant to resemble upturned dhow hulls arranged in a huddle to provide shade and shelter. Many observers have pointed out that the design resembles female genitalia—a claim Zaha Hadid dismissed as "embarrassing" and "ridiculous."[22] The roof of the stadium is retractable, and is made from pleated PTFE fabric and cables, with the roof arches being 230 meters long.[23]

The cooling system prevents the stadium's users from overheating, due to Qatar's hot and arid climate. It is capable of cooling the spectator areas to 18°C and the field of play to 20°C.[24] According to Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), "detailed micro-climate analysis informed the arena's shape, with aerodynamics and optimal shading from the roof, which incorporates a minimal amount of glass, making a significant contribution to temperature control."

Facilities

The sports complex includes a multipurpose room, with swimming pools and spas and a shopping center with green roofs. The entrance to the stadium will be on a wooded square.

A school, wedding hall, cycling, horse riding and running tracks, restaurants, marketplaces and gyms within the vicinity are planned to be built to accompany Al Janoub Stadium.

Proposed renovations

After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Al Janoub Stadium is the Al-Wakrah SC's home, instead of the current Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. The seating capacity is planned to be halved from 40,000 to 20,000 and used for Qatar Stars League matches. Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy has claimed that the remaining half of the stadium's seats will be donated to developing countries in need of sporting infrastructure.[25] [26]

Recent tournament results

2021 FIFA Arab Cup

DateTimeTeam #1ResultTeam #2RoundAttendance
30 November 202116ː001–1Group A1,576
1 December 202119ː004–0Group C3,843
4 December 202116ː000–2Group D9,405
6 December 202118ː001–2Group B8,539
7 December 202122ː001–1Group D32,418
11 December 202118ː003–1Quarterfinals28,306

2022 FIFA World Cup

The Al Janoub Stadium hosted seven matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

DateTimeTeam No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance
22 November 202222:004–1 Group D40,875
24 November 202213:001–0 Group G39,089
26 November 202213:000–1 Group D41,823
28 November 202213:003–3 Group G39,789
30 November 202218:001–0 Group D41,232
2 December 202218:000–2 Group H43,443
5 December 202218:001–1 Round of 1642,523

2023 AFC Asian Cup

On 5 April 2023, the Al Janoub Stadium was chosen as one of eight venues for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. It hosted six matches.

DateTimeTeam No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance
15 January 202420:300–4 Group E20,410
18 January 202420:301–1 Group C41,986
23 January 202414:301–1 Group B15,290
25 January 202414:303–3 Group E30,117
30 January 202414:302–1 Round of 1618,691
2 February 202418:301–2 Quarter-finals39,632

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The New Al Wakrah Stadium . qataramerica.org . 30 April 2019 . 24 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190501150703/https://qataramerica.org/the-new-al-wakrah-stadium/ . 1 May 2019 .
  2. Web site: Al Janoub Stadium . fifa.com . 21 November 2022 . 18 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218182532/https://hospitality.fifa.com/2022/en/the-stadiums/al-janoub-stadium/ . live .
  3. Web site: Al Janoub Stadium opens to fanfare. the-AFC.
  4. Web site: Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium . thepeninsulaqatar.com . 17 May 2019 . 22 March 2022 . 27 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220327003012/https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/17/05/2019/Amir-inaugurates-Al-Janoub-Stadium . live .
  5. Web site: Al Janoub Stadium . zaha-hadid.com . 24 August 2021 . 28 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210728163228/https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/al-wakrah-stadium/ . live .,
  6. Web site: Al Wakrah Stadium Design . sc.qa . 24 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505114225/http://www.sc.qa/en/stadiums/al-wakrah-stadium/design . 5 May 2019 .
  7. Web site: Al Janoub Stadium / Zaha Hadid Architects. 2019-05-18. ArchDaily. en-US. 2019-06-11. 2022-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20220405163603/https://www.archdaily.com/917335/al-janoub-stadium-zaha-hadid-architects. live.
  8. Web site: Al Janoub Stadium . qatar2022.qa . 21 November 2022 . 26 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026235039/https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/tournament/stadiums/al-janoub-stadium . live .
  9. Web site: Qatar wins 2022 World Cup bid . theguardian.com . 2 December 2010 . 13 August 2021 . 6 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106181043/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/02/qatar-win-2022-world-cup-bid . live .
  10. Web site: Fifa urged to press Qatar on conditions for World Cup stadium workers . theguardian.com . 9 November 2017 . 13 August 2021 . 14 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214044028/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/09/fifa-urged-press-qatar-improvements-2022-football-world-cup-stadium-workers . live .
  11. Web site: Al Janoub stadium: a milestone on the road to Qatar 2022 . en.as.com . 12 January 2021 . 19 August 2021 . 22 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220522100902/https://en.as.com/en/2021/01/12/soccer/1610487207_689220.html . live .
  12. Web site: Tradition and innovation come together as striking Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City is opened. 16 May 2019. FIFA. 18 May 2019. 11 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190711091026/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/tradition-and-innovation-come-together-as-striking-al-janoub-stadium-in-al-wakra#al-janoub-stadium-in-al-wakrah-city-ahead-of-the-amir-cup-final. live.
  13. Web site: Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium . thepeninsulaqatar.com . 17 May 2019 . 13 August 2021 . 13 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813134735/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/17/05/2019/Amir-inaugurates-Al-Janoub-Stadium . live .
  14. Web site: Gulf Cup of Nations 2019 Qatar . soccerway.com . 27 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093707/https://nr.soccerway.com/international/asia/gulf-cup/2019/group-stage/r45938/ . live .
  15. Web site: 600 days to go: Qatar's FIFA World Cup stadiums are looking incredible . thepeninsulaqatar.com . 31 March 2021 . 16 August 2021.
  16. Web site: 2021 FIFA Arab Cup: Participating teams, fixtures and all you need to know . goal.com . 18 December 2021 . 18 March 2022 . 12 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221012195401/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2021-fifa-arab-cup-qatar-all-you-need-to-know/blta3bed73f82f8fd58 . live .
  17. Web site: See the first photos of Zaha Hadid's controversial World Cup stadium here . fastcompany.com . 21 May 2019 . 16 August 2021 . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108051422/https://www.fastcompany.com/90351700/see-the-first-photos-of-zaha-hadids-controversial-world-cup-stadium-here . live .
  18. Web site: Zaha Hadid's 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar adapts for future use . inhabitat.com . 21 May 2019 . 28 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020113535/https://inhabitat.com/zaha-hadids-2022-world-cup-stadium-in-qatar-adapts-for-future-use/ . 20 October 2021 .
  19. Web site: Tradition and innovation come together as striking Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City is opened . fifa.com . 16 May 2019 . 28 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108014950/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/news/tradition-and-innovation-come-together-as-striking-al-janoub-stadium-in-al-wakra . 8 November 2021 .
  20. Web site: Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums. 2018-08-02. ArchDaily. en-US. 2019-06-11. 2020-12-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201133329/https://www.archdaily.com/899352/get-to-know-the-8-2022-qatar-world-cup-stadiums. live.
  21. Web site: A modern take on a historic design . qatar2022.qa . 1 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211209094817/https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/stadiums/al-janoub-stadium/design . 9 December 2021 .
  22. Web site: Zaha Hadid dismisses claims that stadium resembles a vagina . 24 November 2013 . 15 October 2022 . 15 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015185034/https://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/24/zaha-hadid-dismisses-vagina-stadium-jibes-as-ridiculous/ . live .
  23. Web site: Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums . archdaily.com . 2 August 2018 . 1 April 2022 . 1 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201133329/https://www.archdaily.com/899352/get-to-know-the-8-2022-qatar-world-cup-stadiums . live .
  24. Web site: The mastermind behind Qatar 2022's air-cooled stadiums . https://web.archive.org/web/20210802162356/https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/news/the-mastermind-behind-qatar-2022s-air-cooled-stadiums . dead . August 2, 2021 . qatar2022.qa . 16 December 2019 . 6 April 2022 .
  25. Web site: Zaha Hadid Architects Al Janoub Stadium Wakrah, Qatar . floornature.com . 14 June 2019 . 19 August 2021 . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108051422/https://www.floornature.com/zaha-hadid-architects-al-janoub-stadium-al-wakrah-qatar-14760/ . live .
  26. Web site: 2022 FIFA World Cup: French delegation praises Al-Wakrah stadium . gdnonline.com . 21 October 2016 . 6 April 2022 . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108063238/https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/120084/2022-FIFA-World-Cup-French-delegation-praises-Al-Wakrah-stadium . live .

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