The main contractor on the Al Khor Al Bayt World Cup stadium in northern Qatar will officially begin construction on the site in September, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL) has said.

The move comes after enabling works that included erecting temporary onsite offices, paving internal roads and ground leveling were recently completed.

Meanwhile, as construction picks up the pace on the site, a new nearby development to house those working on the project is also in the works.

The SCDL did not specify when that accommodation would be completed, but said it would eventually house some 2,700 workers and include retail areas and restaurants.

The project is being designed and constructed by Al Khor & Dakira Schemes & Services Co., a locally based company.

Like all World Cup-related projects, contractors working on the stadium and the housing development must adhere to a special workers’ charter.

That 50-page document, designed to prevent the abuse of people working on World Cup projects ahead of the tournament, outline minimum working and living standards that go above and beyond what is required by Qatari law.

In a statement this week, Ghanim Al Kuwari, executive director of competition venues, said:

“We are progressing well at Al Khor and this new workers accommodation under construction is the latest sign of that development. The proposed design for the accommodation was reviewed by the Technical Delivery Office and the Workers Welfare Committee at the SC to ensure alignment with our standards.”

Stadium progress

Last month, Italian firm Salini Impregilo Group, which has a joint venture with Qatar-based Galfar Al Misnad and the Italian firm Comical, signed a QR3.11 billion (€770 million) contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Al Khor Al Bayt stadium.

The design resembles a traditional tent used by nomads around the region and is meant to symbolize Arab hospitality.

When the deal was announced, the JV said the stadium would seat 70,000 spectators and be completed by September 2018. However, this week’s statement about the facility said the stadium would house some 60,000 football fans.

The stadium is one of likely eight venues that will be used for the 2022 World Cup.

Though Qatar originally pledged to build 12 stadiums for the tournament, a minimum of eight facilities are required by FIFA in order to host the 64 matches played during the international tournament.

Work is already underway to build from scratch or redevelop five stadium sites (including Al Bayt), while the designs for a sixth arena at Lusail City, which will host the opening ceremony and final match, are being prepared by Foster + Partners, the firm led by British architect Sir Norman Foster.

The Qatar Sports Club in Dafna and the Hamad International Airport area have also been mentioned as potential World Cup stadium sites.

Last week, an SCDL spokesman said the final number of stadiums would be decided by year-end.

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