Doha, Qatar – Qatar announced Monday that the club champions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt will play in the inaugural match at Lusail stadium, to be used for the World Cup final, on September 9.
The match between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and the Egyptian champions, who are not yet decided, will be “the final milestone in our journey ahead of the big kick-off on November 21,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s organising committee.
The 80,000-capacity gold coloured venue, in the Lusail new city just north of Doha, was the last of the eight World Cup stadiums to be completed.
A test event is to be staged there on August 11 when a Qatar championship match between Al-Arabi SC and Al-Rayyan is held.
The stunning venue, which is located in the pioneering Lusail City, 15km north of central Doha, will host matches during every stage of Qatar 2022, starting with the Group C clash between Argentina and Saudi Arabia on 22 November.
The stadium’s design is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. Its shape and golden façade echo the intricate decorative motifs on bowls, vessels and other art pieces found across the Arab and Islamic world during the rise of civilisation in the region.
“Showcasing Lusail Stadium is the final milestone in our journey ahead of the big kick-off on 21 November. This incredible venue forms the centrepiece of our tournament and will be the focus of the world’s attention when it hosts the FIFA World Cup final on 18 December, which is also Qatar National Day,” said Al Thawadi. I am proud this venue will play a major role during the tournament and also deliver a lasting legacy for the people of Lusail and the wider community.”
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser Al Khater said: “Lusail Stadium will provide a magnificent stage for this year’s FIFA World Cup final – the biggest and most prestigious football match on the planet. As far as preparations for the FIFA World Cup are concerned, this is the final piece of the jigsaw.
“Fans can expect a memorable and welcoming experience when they arrive in Qatar for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world. Hosting this prestigious match at Lusail Stadium will give us a great opportunity to test the venue’s readiness and the many operational plans we have put in place,” he added.
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