Doha: FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged all football fans around the world to come and visit Qatar during the World Cup to discover the beautiful country and experience the legendary Qatari hospitality.
Infantino said in an interview with Al Kas channel that he can already feel the positive vibe inside the Lusail stadium, which he visited and toured today.
“What I think it is it is amazing that 70% of the works of the stadium are done and you can already feel the positive vibes. This is not a normal stadium, this is a stadium where the final of the World Cup will take place, where the captain of the team that has won the World Cup will lift the trophy, which is the most iconic and magic trophy in the world of football and you can see it already and since we are here inside we can feel it as well - this is so incredible and all those who will come and will witness it in person and those who will see it on TV will see what a magnificent stadium this is…,” FIFA president said
Infantino was all praise of the 80,000 capacity stadium will host the final, along with matches during every stage of Qatar 2022 and urged all football fans to come and visit Qatar during the World Cup and discover the beautiful country and legendary Qatari hospital.
“Well, just come to Qatar, everyone in football, all the fans of football, all the football fans in the world, come to Qatar - visit Qatar, visit at the same time (as World Cup) and there are beautiful countries around Qatar as well and discover a new way of living, discover the Arab world, discover that many of those who have some prejudices towards this part of the world are completely wrong - this is a welcoming country, this is an open country, this is a beautiful country and everyone who will come here - if you’re in the World Cup, before the World Cup or after the World Cup - will enjoy legendary Qatari hospitality,” FIFA president concluded.
The current plan for Lusail Stadium is to re-engineer the venue's internal space to house a mixture of civic facilities. Post-2022, the venue will feature a school, housing, shops, food outlets and health clinics. The upper tier will be re-purposed into outdoor terraces for new homes. A community football pitch will also be built within the premises.
To make way for these new amenities, some tournament installations will be removed. Any materials removed will be preserved and, where possible, re-purposed and donated to communities which require sporting infrastructure.
The stadium's design is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the 'fanar' lantern. Lusail's shape and facade echo the intricate decorative motifs on bowls and other vessels characteristic of the golden age of art and craftsmanship in the Arab and Islamic world.
