Al Janoub Stadium

Al-Janoub Stadium (Arabic: استاد الجنوب, romanized: ʾIstād 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 among the eight stadiums 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 and Partners of Dubai.

Al-Janoub Stadium
ملعب الجنوب
Interior view of the stadium during a visit by Jair Bolsonaro in October 2019
Full nameAl-Wakrah Stadium
Former namesAl-Wakrah Stadium
LocationAl Wakrah, Qatar
Coordinates25°09′35.2″N 51°34′26.7″E
OwnerQatar Football Association
Capacity44,325[1]
Record attendance43,443 (Ghana vs Uruguay, 2 December 2022)
Field size105 x 68 m
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground2014
Built2014–2019
Opened16 May 2019[2]
Renovated2019
ArchitectZaha Hadid
Main contractorsMidmac Contracting Co.

Six Construct Qatar

Porr Qatar Construction
Tenants
Al-Wakrah Sports Club (2020–present)
Qatar national football team (selected matches)
Part of a series on the
2022 FIFA World Cup
Hosting
Qualification
Matches
Controversies
People
Promotional and related media
Media related to 2022 FIFA World Cup at Wikimedia Commons

The stadium features a curvilinear postmodernist and neo-futurist design. The appearance of the roof was inspired by the sails of traditional Dhow boats, 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, previously it was 40,000 before the World Cup.[7]

The stadium is located about 22 km south of Doha.[8]

History
2020 ACL Final, Al Janoub Stadium

Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010. It would become 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]

On 8 September 2020, Qatar introduced migrant reforms in the country that are applied to workers of all sections, regardless of their nationality. According to Qatar's new labor reforms, workers must be paid a basic minimum wage which must not be less than 1000 riyals. Workers who are provided with only accommodation and no food facilities must be entitled to food allowances (300 riyals) with their basic wage. Moreover, Qatar introduced a wage protection system to ensure that the employers are complying with the reforms and to help, guide and protect the rights of labours. An occupational safety and health policy was adopted by the MOL and the public health to ensure more strategic coordinated and data-driven approaches. Qatar has taken a wide range of measures to improve protections for workers in Qatar which are recognized by independent experts from the International Labour Organization and international unions.[17][18]

Design
The stadium's facade near completion. January 2019.

The stadium was designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, and her architectural firm, Zaha Hadid Architects.[19] 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.”[20]

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][21] The curvilinear roof and exterior references Al Wakrah's history of seafaring, additionally giving spectators the feeling on being on a ship.[22] Bowed beams hold up the roof, resembling a ship's hull.[23] 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."[24] The roof of the stadium is retractable, and is made from pleated PTFE fabric and cables, with the roof arches being 230 meters long.[25]

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.[26] 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."[23]

Facilities

The 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.[23]

Proposed renovations

After 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 has been halved from 40,000 to 20,000 and is 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.[27][28]

Recent tournament results

24th Arabian Gulf Cup
Date Time Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
5 December 201920ː00 Saudi Arabia1–0 QatarSemifinals 42,025

2021 FIFA Arab Cup
Date Time Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
30 November 202116ː00 Iraq1–1 OmanGroup A 1,576
1 December 202119ː00 Morocco4–0 PalestineGroup C 3,843
4 December 202116ː00 Lebanon0–2 AlgeriaGroup D 9,405
6 December 202118ː00 Syria1–2 MauritaniaGroup B 8,539
7 December 202122ː00 Algeria1–1 EgyptGroup D 32,418
11 December 202118ː00 Egypt3–1 JordanQuarterfinals 28,306

2022 FIFA World Cup

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 202222:00 France4–1 AustraliaGroup D40,875
24 November 202213:00  Switzerland1–0 CameroonGroup G39,089
26 November 202213:00 Tunisia0–1 AustraliaGroup D41,823
28 November 202213:00 Cameroon3–3 SerbiaGroup G39,789
30 November 202218:00 Australia1–0 DenmarkGroup D41,232
2 December 202218:00 Ghana0–2 UruguayGroup H43,443
5 December 202218:00 Japan1–1 (1–3 pen.) CroatiaRound of 1642,523

2023 AFC Asian Cup

On 5 April 2023, Al Janoub Stadium was chosen as one of the eight venues for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. It will host six matches.

Date Time Team No. 1 Result Team No. 2 Round Attendance
15 January 202420:30 Malaysia– JordanGroup E
18 January 202420:30 Palestine– United Arab EmiratesGroup C
23 January 202414:30 Australia– UzbekistanGroup B
25 January 202414:30 South Korea– MalaysiaGroup E
30 January 202414:30Runner-up Group B–Runner-up Group FRound of 16
2 February 202418:30Winner Match 37–Winner Match 42Quarter-finals

References
  1. "Al Janoub Stadium". fifa.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  2. "The New Al Wakrah Stadium". qataramerica.org. 30 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  3. "Al Janoub Stadium opens to fanfare". the-AFC.
  4. "Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  5. "Al Janoub Stadium". zaha-hadid.com. Retrieved 24 August 2021.,
  6. "Al Wakrah Stadium Design". sc.qa. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  7. "Al Janoub Stadium / Zaha Hadid Architects". ArchDaily. 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  8. "Al Janoub Stadium". qatar2022.qa. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  9. "Qatar wins 2022 World Cup bid". theguardian.com. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  10. "Fifa urged to press Qatar on conditions for World Cup stadium workers". theguardian.com. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  11. "Al Janoub stadium: a milestone on the road to Qatar 2022". en.as.com. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  12. "Tradition and innovation come together as striking Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah City is opened". FIFA. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  13. "Amir inaugurates Al Janoub Stadium". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  14. "Gulf Cup of Nations 2019 Qatar". soccerway.com. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  15. "600 days to go: Qatar's FIFA World Cup stadiums are looking incredible". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  16. "2021 FIFA Arab Cup: Participating teams, fixtures and all you need to know". goal.com. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  17. "Qatar World Cup: Calls for FIFA to contribute to compensation scheme for workers in host country receive strong support". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  18. "Overview of Qatar's labour reforms". www.ilo.org. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  19. "See the first photos of Zaha Hadid's controversial World Cup stadium here". fastcompany.com. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  20. "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.
  21. "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.
  22. "Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums". ArchDaily. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  23. "A modern take on a historic design". qatar2022.qa. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  24. "Zaha Hadid dismisses claims that stadium resembles a vagina". 24 November 2013.
  25. "Get To Know The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums". archdaily.com. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  26. "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.
  27. "Zaha Hadid Architects Al Janoub Stadium Wakrah, Qatar". floornature.com. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  28. "2022 FIFA World Cup: French delegation praises Al-Wakrah stadium". gdnonline.com. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
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