Doha

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has appointed Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), the oldest architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, as the Design Consultant for the eighth proposed host venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be located in Al Thumama.

Established in 1966, AEB boasts vast experience, along with a diverse portfolio of more than 1,500 completed projects. The award-winning firm works across different project scales, typologies and environmental conditions, with its approach grounded in the search for contextually appropriate and environmentally sustainable solutions.

Ghanim al-Kuwari, SC Competition Venues Executive Director, said: “We are excited to announce that the design contract has been awarded to a Qatari company AEB for the stadium in Al Thumama. We look forward to working with them in creating a design which fits well in the surrounding area.

“With this design award, our vision for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East continues to take shape. We now have six stadiums under construction across the country and have recently held our second Local Organising Committee Board Meeting,” al-Kuwari continued.

The stadium in Al Thumama will have a minimum of 40,000 seats for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will host matches leading up to the quarter-finals stage. In legacy mode, the stadium capacity will be reduced to a maximum of 20,000 seats.

The stadium will be located in an area of 515,400sq metres that already comprises four outdoor training pitches and office facilities currently used by the Qatar Football Association Technical Committee.

Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, AEB Group CEO & Chief Architect, said: “We are honoured to have won a bid in an international design competition to participate in such a prestigious project. For us it is an absolute privilege to be entrusted by the Supreme Committee to take the lead for the design of this stadium.”

He added: “Since 1966 we have been commended for our work on other projects and are thrilled, to have our international-level capabilities recognised by the Supreme Committee. We aim to design a facility that will remain as a true legacy for the local community.”

Meanwhile, Chuck Baldwin, Project Director, TiME Qatar, the project management company for the stadium, said: “We are very pleased that a Qatari company has been awarded the Al Thumama design contract and look forward to working with them to deliver a truly unique stadium.”

The SC’s Community Engagement Team recently met with Al Thumama residents to hear their thoughts and opinions about the stadium development and reflect it in the project design. During several majilis meetings, residents expressed their interest in having a health clinic, green spaces, retail area and sporting facilities, including a walking and cycling track, among other facilities they look forward to see in the stadium precinct.