A construction contract to build Qatar’s Al Wakrah Stadium is expected to be awarded in 2015, local 2022 World Cup organizers have said.

The Al Wakrah facility is the first World Cup venue that is being built in Qatar, and is set for a 2018 completion – some three years behind its original schedule.

However, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SDCL), which is overseeing World Cup preparations in Qatar, said work on the stadium is now picking up the pace.

In a statement, the committee said:

“Progress on the ground is well underway, with the bowl of the stadium currently being dug out and the precinct now visible on Google Earth.”

It added that 50 staffers have moved into new onsite offices, a number that will increase to 200 by next year.

The stadium, which was designed by AECOM and Zaha Hadid Architects and is based on a dhow boat that Qataris traditionally used for pearl diving, will host some 16 World Cup matches.

Other stadiums

Work on four others World Cup match venues is also underway.

Earlier this month, the SCDL said it would be demolishing and then rebuilding Qatar’s Al Rayyan Stadium.

The plan is a departure from previous plans to refurbish the stadium to double its capacity to 40,000 fans, and competition on the project is now slated for 2019.

Meanwhile, organizers announced last month that a contract had been awarded to refurbish Khalifa International Stadium, located in the Aspire Zone.

And very preliminary works have begun on stadiums in Education City and in Al Khor.

Qatar originally proposed hosting the World Cup in 12 venues. However, only eight are required according to FIFA regulations. A final decision on the number of host venues is expected next year.

Thoughts?