In just under six months the 2022 FIFA World Cup will get underway in Qatar and the eight stadiums that will play host to the tournament are primed and ready. They are also eye-catching to say the least.
One of the stadiums is designed like a traditional Middle Eastern woven cap, another is made of shipping containers and one venue has infamously been likened to a woman’s private parts.
While they are striking in design, the eight venues pose a logistical relief to the fans attending arguably the most controversial World Cup ever.
That is because the eight stadia are all situated with a 21-mile radius of central Doha and will be linked by a metro and tram system, making it possible to watch more than one game in the same day for any fan wishing to do so.
Al Janoub (Vagina) Stadium
Capacity: 40,000 Distance from Doha city centre: 14 miles Design inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid Games: Seven, up to last 16
Formerly known as the Al Wakrah Stadium, the futuristic design of the Al Janoub is inspired by the sails of the dhow boats traditional to the country of Qatar in a nod to the coastal city’s maritime heritage.
It boasts a retractable roof and an innovative cooling system to ensure the ground can hold events all year round, even during the searing heat of the summer months.
It was designed by the late British-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2016, aged 65. But when her drawing were first released and went viral, commentators suggested the stadium looked more like a woman’s private parts.
At the time Dame Zaha was angry at the comparison, saying: ‘It’s really embarrassing they come up with nonsense stuff like this. What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.’
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
