Al-Janoub Stadium (Arabic: استاد الجنوب, romanized: Istād al-Janūb, lit. 'Stadium of the South'),[3] formerly known as Al-Wakrah Stadium (Arabic: استاد الوكرة), 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.[citation needed]
| ملعب الجنوب | |
 Exterior view of the stadium | |
 | |
| Full name | Al-Janoub Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Al-Wakrah Stadium (2019–2020) |
| Location | Al Wakrah, Qatar |
| Coordinates | 25°09′35.2″N 51°34′26.7″E / 25.159778°N 51.574083°E |
| Owner | Qatar Football Association |
| Capacity | 44,325[2] |
| Record attendance | 43,443 (Ghana vs Uruguay, 2 December 2022) |
| Field size | 105 x 68 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2014 |
| Built | 2014–2019 |
| Opened | 16 May 2019[1] |
| Renovated | 2019 |
| Architect | Zaha Hadid |
| Main contractors | Midmac Contracting Co.
Six Construct Qatar Porr Qatar Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Al-Wakrah SC (2020–present) Qatar national football team (selected matches) | |
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]
History
edit
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
edit
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.[6][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."[21]
Facilities
editThe 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.[21]
Proposed renovations
editAfter 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.[7] 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
edit24th Arabian Gulf Cup
edit| Date | Time | Team #1 | Result | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 December 2019 | 20ː00 |  Saudi Arabia |
1–0 |  Qatar |
Semifinals | 42,025 |
2021 FIFA Arab Cup
edit| Date | Time | Team #1 | Result | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2021 | 16ː00 |  Iraq |
1–1 |  Oman |
Group A | 1,576 |
| 1 December 2021 | 19ː00 |  Morocco |
4–0 |  Palestine |
Group C | 3,843 |
| 4 December 2021 | 16ː00 |  Lebanon |
0–2 |  Algeria |
Group D | 9,405 |
| 6 December 2021 | 18ː00 |  Syria |
1–2 |  Mauritania |
Group B | 8,539 |
| 7 December 2021 | 22ː00 | Algeria |
1–1 |  Egypt |
Group D | 32,418 |
| 11 December 2021 | 18ː00 | Egypt |
3–1 |  Jordan |
Quarterfinals | 28,306 |
2022 FIFA World Cup
editThe Al Janoub Stadium hosted seven matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
| Date | Time | Team No. 1 | Result | Team No. 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 November 2022 | 22:00 |  France |
4–1 |  Australia |
Group D | 40,875 |
| 24 November 2022 | 13:00 |  Switzerland |
1–0 |  Cameroon |
Group G | 39,089 |
| 26 November 2022 | 13:00 |  Tunisia |
0–1 | Australia |
Group D | 41,823 |
| 28 November 2022 | 13:00 | Cameroon |
3–3 |  Serbia |
Group G | 39,789 |
| 30 November 2022 | 18:00 | Australia |
1–0 |  Denmark |
Group D | 41,232 |
| 2 December 2022 | 18:00 |  Ghana |
0–2 |  Uruguay |
Group H | 43,443 |
| 5 December 2022 | 18:00 |  Japan |
1–1 (a.e.t.) (1–3 p) |  Croatia |
Round of 16 | 42,523 |
2023 AFC Asian Cup
editOn 5 April 2023, the Al Janoub Stadium was chosen as one of eight venues for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. It hosted six matches.
| Date | Time | Team No. 1 | Result | Team No. 2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 January 2024 | 20:30 |  Malaysia |
0–4 | Jordan |
Group E | 20,410 |
| 18 January 2024 | 20:30 | Palestine |
1–1 |  United Arab Emirates |
Group C | 41,986 |
| 23 January 2024 | 14:30 | Australia |
1–1 |  Uzbekistan |
Group B | 15,290 |
| 25 January 2024 | 14:30 |  South Korea |
3–3 | Malaysia |
Group E | 30,117 |
| 30 January 2024 | 14:30 | Uzbekistan |
2–1 |  Thailand |
Round of 16 | 18,691 |
| 2 February 2024 | 18:30 | Australia |
1–2 | South Korea |
Quarter-finals | 39,632 |
References
edit- ^ "The New Al Wakrah Stadium". qataramerica.org. 30 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Al Janoub Stadium". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Al Janoub Stadium opens to fanfare". the-AFC.
- ^ "Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Al Janoub Stadium". zaha-hadid.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.,
- ^ a b "Al Wakrah Stadium Design". sc.qa. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Al Janoub Stadium / Zaha Hadid Architects". ArchDaily. 2019-05-18. Archived from the original on 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
- ^ "Al Janoub Stadium". qatar2022.qa. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Qatar wins 2022 World Cup bid". theguardian.com. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Fifa urged to press Qatar on conditions for World Cup stadium workers". theguardian.com. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Al Janoub stadium: a milestone on the road to Qatar 2022". en.as.com. 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Tradition and innovation come together as striking Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City is opened". FIFA. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Gulf Cup of Nations 2019 Qatar". soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "600 days to go: Qatar's FIFA World Cup stadiums are looking incredible". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "2021 FIFA Arab Cup: Participating teams, fixtures and all you need to know". goal.com. 18 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ "See the first photos of Zaha Hadid's controversial World Cup stadium here". fastcompany.com. 21 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Zaha Hadid's 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar adapts for future use". inhabitat.com. 21 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Tradition and innovation come together as striking Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City is opened". fifa.com. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums". ArchDaily. 2018-08-02. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
- ^ a b c "A modern take on a historic design". qatar2022.qa. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Zaha Hadid dismisses claims that stadium resembles a vagina". 24 November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums". archdaily.com. 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "The mastermind behind Qatar 2022's air-cooled stadiums". qatar2022.qa. 16 December 2019. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ "Zaha Hadid Architects Al Janoub Stadium Wakrah, Qatar". floornature.com. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "2022 FIFA World Cup: French delegation praises Al-Wakrah stadium". gdnonline.com. 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
