More than 40,000 football fans attended the launch of the first proposed host venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani officially cutting the ribbon at the new Khalifa International Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd.
The official inauguration ceremony included a light show from the newly installed LED lights, a performance from the Emiri Guard and a firework display that saw pyrotechnic experts display 2022 in the sky above the stadium in fireworks to mark the opening of the World Cup venue. The final of Qatar’s biggest domestic trophy, the Emir Cup, kicked off shortly afterwards.
Expanded to seat 40,000 spectators, the stadium has undergone extensive renovation works ahead of the tournament, where it will host matches up until the quarter-finals. These include the installation of revolutionary cooling technology promised during Qatar’s successful bid, which kept the pitch at 20°C and the stands at 23°C on opening night, while using 40% less energy than traditional cooling methods.
May 24, 2017
