RIYADH: The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and the Aspire Zone Foundation unveiled the renovated design for Khalifa International Stadium, the third proposed host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The redevelopment includes revamping the venue to include a seating capacity of 40,000 during the tournament in order to be compliant with FIFA’s stadium requirements for hosting group, round-of-16 and quarterfinal matches.

Additionally, innovative cooling technology will be incorporated to ensure an optimal playing temperature of 26 degrees Celsius and provide a comfortable viewing environment for fans and players.

The announcement was made at a ceremonial dinner held in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, on the sidelines of the 22nd Gulf Cup. Abdullatif Al Zayani, GCC Secretary General, Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdul Aziz, General President of Youth Welfare, presidents of Gulf football associations, and other dignitaries from the region attended the event.

Built in 1976, and renovated for the Asian Games in 2006, Khalifa International Stadium will undergo a comprehensive renovation to meet the FIFA standards for World Cup stadiums, which will include adding a new building to the east wing, and building a single roof to cover the whole seating area.

Among the new additions, the stadium will include the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. This museum will include historic sport collections and interactive exhibits, demonstrating the strong relationship that connects Qatar with world sports.

Food courts, shops, multi-purpose rooms, VIP lounges and a health centre will also be available on the upper and lower concourses to be built in the east wing.

A new road network along with two new metro stations in the surrounding area will connect the stadium to public transport, allowing it to be easily accessible. Meanwhile, the close distance between the stadium and its surrounding hotels and shopping centre will make walking an enjoyable experience.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of Qatar Football Association, said: “We are pleased to be here with our brothers in Riyadh, which is currently hosting the Gulf Cup. This tournament reflects the importance of sport, especially football, in strengthening the brotherly relationship between Gulf countries. Likewise, we hope that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will offer another good opportunity for the people of our region to come together and make it an impressive track record of success.”

In his speech, Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “Unveiling the design of our third proposed World Cup host venue from Riyadh shows how much the World Cup is welcomed by all the countries and peoples of the region, especially Saudi Arabia, which has been supporting us since the early days of our bid. It also demonstrates our determination and firm commitment to deliver on an amazing tournament, creating a lasting legacy for Qatar, the Gulf States and the whole region.”