Doha, December 15 (QNA) - The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has revealed the design for Lusail Stadium, the venue at which the opening and final games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar will take place.

The 80,000-capacity venue will be the largest stadium during the tournament, which will kick off on 21 November 2022 and be the first to take place in the Arab world.

Located 15km north of central Doha, Lusail Stadium will form the centerpiece of the new ultra-modern Lusail City, the construction of which is 90 percent completed. As well as being situated in the heart of the city of the future, the area holds significant cultural and historical significance for the country, as it was once the home of the founder of modern Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Al-Thani.

Renowned British firm Foster and Partners provided the design concept for the stadium. The venue's golden vessel takes its inspiration from an Arab architectural sense as much as it does from literal symbolism by celebrating the region's ancient tradition of craftsmanship. The design features 'fanar' lanterns and intricately detailed bowls that have been created for centuries in the region.

Construction of the stadium, which is being delivered by a joint venture comprising Qatari firm HBK Contracting Company and China Railway Construction Corporation, is already well underway. With the substructure complete, concrete superstructure and infrastructure works are progressing in all zones, while internal works have commenced in the west stand. Construction of the stadium is set to be completed in 2020.

Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman of the SC's Technical Delivery Office, said: "Unveiling the design of Lusail Stadium is another step on our journey to hosting an unforgettable World Cup in 2022. We are currently in the peak construction phase and making incredible progress in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders. We look forward to celebrating more milestones in 2019 and beyond." Yasir Al Jamal, Vice Chairman of the SC's Technical Delivery Office, said: "As with each of our other seven proposed venues, Lusail Stadium will be a world-class arena, fit to host the most important and widely-watched game in world sport. I am delighted to report that work is already underway at the site, and significant progress has been made with all building works on course to be completed by 2020. We look forward to welcoming the world here in 2022." FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, who attended the launch, added: "I am delighted to see Qatar's continued commitment to excellence in the spectacular Lusail Stadium. Qatar's stadiums are among the most eye-catching ever seen and the venue proposed for the final is absolutely gorgeous. I particularly enjoy the fact that Middle Eastern culture is reflected in Lusail's and several other designs, and look forward to seeing football fans from all over the world discover the culture and history of the region."

The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterizes the fanar lantern. There are also echoes of the intricate decorative motifs on bowls and other vessels found across the Arab world and in museums and art galleries globally.

 After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community space, including schools, shops, cafes, sports facilities and health clinics. This multi-purpose community hub will allow people to find everything they need under one roof, the original roof of the football stadium.

 To make way for these new amenities, many of the stadium's modular seats will be removed and donated to sporting projects, taking this arena's extraordinary legacy and a little bit of FIFA World Cup history to locations around the world.

 This is the eighth stadium design to be unveiled by the SC, which is responsible for delivering the infrastructure and host country planning required for 2022 and ensuring it leaves a lasting legacy for Qatar, the region and the world. Khalifa International Stadium became the first tournament-ready venue in 2017, while two more stadiums will be completed early next year Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City. (MORE)