Belgium and Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele says can deliver best World Cup PAGE 18 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018

Tim cahill bids an emotional farewell on his 108th and final appearance for Australia PAGE 19 CRICKET T20I AUSTRALIA VS INDIA

Khalifa International Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Capacity: 40,000 Distance from city Distance from Doha: 12km centre: 13km Education City Stadium is located On May 19, 2017 Khalifa at the heart of Qatar Foundation – International Stadium a vibrant centre for knowledge and became the first 2022 innovation where this ultramodern FIFA World Cup stadium to arena will be a fitting addition and open when it hosted the lasting symbol of sustainability. Amir Cup final in front of The stadium will host matches up more than 40,000 fans. to the quarter-finals stage in 2022 Located in Aspire Zone, and eventually become the home the historic venue has pre- of the Qatar Women’s team. viously hosted the Asian Construction update: Progress Games, the Gulf Cup and continues to be made at the the AFC Asian Cup. Next ‘Diamond in the Desert’. More than 220,000m3 of concrete has been casted, year it will host the 2019 fabrication of the shimmering façade is almost complete and the roof structural IAAF World Athletics Championships. steel works are progressing rapidly. Lusail Stadium COUNTDOWN TO Al Wakrah Capacity: 80,000 Capacity: 40,000 Distance from Doha: 16km Distance from Doha: 23km Lusail Stadium will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Inspired by the late British-Iraqi architect final opening game and matches throughout the Dame Zaha Hadid, the futuristic Al Wakrah tournament. The design for Lusail Stadium is due Stadium will host matches up to the quarter- to be unveiled in December 2018. finals stage. The design is inspired by the Construction update: At Lusail Stadium, the 24th sails of traditional dhow boats – in tribute to – and final – main structural column to support the Al Wakrah’s seafaring past. An innovative stadium façade has been installed. Meanwhile, 2022 cooling system and retractable roof mean concrete superstructure works are progressing in the stadium will be used all year round. all zones, reaching the fifth and sixth floors in the Construction update: The structure is now east and west sides respectively, where the struc- completed and work is progressing on internal ture will reach 80m at its highest point. finishes, the roof and façade works. The energy FIFA WORLD CUP centre has been built, while the precinct infra- QATAR BEGINS structure and hard landscaping are advancing.

This World Cup is a unique opportunity – a In four years’ time, 1.5 million fans will descend chance to show the world what this region can on Qatar from every corner of the globe and offer, but also for anybody in the world to come billions more will tune in on their TVs, and visit a beautiful place, learn about a new smartphones and tablets to watch 28 days of Al Rayyan culture and meet new people. — Gianni Infantino football. — Hassan al Thawadi Al Thumama TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK “There are many lessons we can learn from Rus- Capacity: 40,000 DOHA sia,” said Infantino. “The first one is how to welcome Capacity: 40,000 Distance from Doha: 22km so many people – 1.5 million people came to Russia to Distance from Doha: 13km EDNESDAY marks exactly four years to enjoy the World Cup and they were all welcomed in a the kickoff of the next World Cup in Qatar. way that was unexpected to many. There were many Al Rayyan Stadium will showcase the very best of With one stadium fully redeveloped and fears about Russia, but it turned out to be a very safe The design of is inspired Qatari culture in 2022 as it hosts matches up to Wseven others under various stages of con- World Cup, a very welcoming World Cup, in a country by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional woven cap worn for the quarter-finals stage. The outer façade will be struction, all the infrastructure projects are that made fans feel good. The whole population con- centuries by men across the Arab world. It is made up of intricate patterns representing Qatar, set to be completed well before the tournament be- tributed to that and I’m sure the same will happen here the first FIFA World Cup venue to be designed by from its history of trade to its varied wildlife. Al gins on November 21, 2022. in Qatar. The Russian World Cup was the best a Qatari architect – Ibrahim Al Jaidah. Rayyan’s desert landscapes will be reflected on Commenting on the 2022 FIFA World ever, and the World Cup in 2022 has to be even Construction update: More than 80% of the the façade – and in the dune-shaped hospitality Cup Qatar, FIFA President Gianni In- better.” stadium’s concrete frame has been complet- areas and merchandise stalls dotted around the fantino said the tournament had mas- On his part, Supreme Committee for De- ed, while work on the stadium’s upper tier stadium complex. sive potential to break down cultural livery & Legacy Secretary- General Hassan steel structure is progressing well. Installation Construction update: The installation of the com- stereotypes and bring people together al Thawadi said, “In four years’ time, 1.5 of the bleachers is ongoing. Precinct works pression and tensile roof steel structure modules through football. million fans will descend on Qatar from are also in progress, including installation of has been completed, while façade installation has “I think this World Cup is extreme- every corner of the globe and billions more water tanks, training pitches and other utilities commenced, along with testing of the energy centre. ly important, not only for Qatar but for will tune in on their TVs, smartphones and and services. the whole region – a region that has a tablets to watch 28 days of football. It will be passion for football and is investing a lot a momentous occasion for the teams partici- in the game. pating, the fans watching, and for the whole “This World Cup is a unique oppor- Arab world, which is eagerly anticipating host- tunity – a chance to show the world what ing the showpiece event of the most popular this region can offer for football, but also sport in the world for the first time ever. for anybody in the world to come and visit a “Football, more than any other sport, has the beautiful place, learn about a new culture and power to build bridges of understanding between meet new people. In this world, especially in people and cultures. With key tournament and na- the current climate, it is very much needed that tional infrastructure projects on-schedule and each we open our doors and discover new places.” of our legacy initiatives proving a catalyst for posi- The recent World Cup in Russia set a high tive change both locally and abroad, we are de- benchmark, said Infantino, who is expect- livering on our promise of hosting a unique and ing fans to receive a warm welcome in Qa- transformational FIFA World Cup for Qatar, tar in 2022. the region and the world.” – Al Khor City Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 40,000 Distance from Doha: 43km Distance from Doha: 10km A remarkable sight will welcome Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be fans to Al Bayt Stadium – Al the first fully demountable and Khor City, which is being deliv- re-usable tournament venue in ered by Aspire Zone Foundation. FIFA World Cup history. Designed The arena, designed to repre- by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, sent Arab hospitality, will host this 40,000-capacity stadium will matches through to the semi- be built using shipping containers finals stage in 2022 and will be and other modular materials. covered by a structure resem- Overlooking the stunning Doha bling a traditional Arab tent Corniche and West Bay skyline, known as bayt al sha’ar, com- the stadium will host matches up to the quarter-finals stage in 2022. plete with a state-of-the-art retractable roof. Construction update: The fabrication of containers for Ras Abu Aboud Stadium com- Construction update: The stadium structure has been completed, along with the menced in August 2018, with the first batch expected in Doha in February 2019. installation of the retractable roof. Works within the precinct infrastructure and The venue will be built using 998 modular containers. The prefabricated modular landscaping are progressing at the venue. structure allows for the use of fewer materials and reduces waste and emissions.