Qatar 2022: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan unveiled to the world in spectacular launch

Qatar, December 20: The Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan which hosted the 48th Emir's Cup final on Qatar National Day (December 18) became the fourth fully operational FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament venue to be inaugurated.

India's biggest construction firm, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), along with Qatari contractor, Al Balagh Trading & Contracting have built the architectural marvel.

The stadium - which will become the new home of Al Rayyan Sports Club - follows Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City in being declared ready to host the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. The 40,000-capacity venue will host seven matches during Qatar 2022 up to the round of 16 stage.

Qatar 2022: Four salient features of Al Rayyan Stadium

Following a spectacular pre-match ceremony featuring music, cultural performances and stunning visual effects, along with a riddle recited by presenters Hamad bin Mohsen Al Naimi and Ali bin Rhema Al Marri, the final between Al Sadd and Al Arabi kicked off. Al Sadd won the match 2-1 to claim the Emir's Cup for the 17th time in front of a socially distanced crowd of 50 per cent the stadium's capacity.

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who was in attendance praised the local organising committee -- Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) for the successful completion of another Qatar 2022 tournament venue.

Qatar 2022: Know more about the FIFA World Cup stadiums

"Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is a wonderful venue for football," said Infantino. "The atmosphere is incredible, with the seats extremely close to the pitch. Even with a socially-distanced crowd, I could feel the passion for the game. I'm sure this'll be a perfect football arena in 2022 when it hosts matches during the World Cup."

Built on the site of a deconstructed stadium, the new venue is adjacent to the Mall of Qatar and within walking distance of Al Riffa Station - on Doha Metro's Green Line. The stadium's most striking feature is a glowing façade, comprising patterns that characterise different aspects of Qatar: the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade. A fifth shape - a shield - brings together all the others, representing the strength and unity that is particularly relevant to the desert city of Al Rayyan.

The inauguration of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Qatar National Day is another important milestone on the road to 2022 and a triumph of the efforts of everyone involved to put on such a successful event during a global pandemic," said SC Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi.

Nasser Al Khater, Chief Executive Officer, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said, "We look forward to developing the Qatar 2022 fan experience further next year when we host more major tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Arab Cup - events which're sure to excite football lovers in Qatar, across the region and around the world."

The match was attended by a host of famous faces from the football world, including Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin.

Also in attendance were star names such as Samuel Eto'o, Tim Cahill, Mohamed Aboutrika and Ali Al Habsi.

(Source: Media Release)