Khalifa International Stadium


Khalifa International Stadium, also known as National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Doha, Qatar, as part of the Doha Sports City complex, which also includes Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and the Aspire Tower. It is named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar's former Emir. The final of 2011 AFC Asian Cup was held at this stadium. The stadium is also the first completed venue that will host a part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2017, it received a four-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System, the first in the world to be awarded this rating.

History

The stadium opened in 1976. It was renovated and expanded in 2005, before the 2006 Asian Games, to increase its capacity from 20,000 to 40,000 seats. A roof covers the western side of the stadium. The eastern side has a large arch, which was used as a platform to launch fireworks from during the 2006 Asian Games opening ceremony.
Before the 2005 renovation, the stadium was used mostly for association football matches, but it is equipped for many other sports. Since 1997, the stadium has hosted the annual Doha Diamond League track and field competition. It is the Qatar national football team's home stadium. The stadium hosted the 2011 Pan Arab Games.
After another redevelopment, the stadium reopened in May 2017.
The stadium was the site of the 2019 World Athletics Championships in September and October of that year.
On 17 December 2019, the stadium is scheduled as the venue of two 2019 FIFA Club World Cup matches: the fifth-place match and the semi-final between the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions and the winner of Match 3.

Sport events

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