Al Wakrah World Cup Stadium On Schedule Despite Gulf Blockade, Project Manager Says

A second stadium being built for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be ready on schedule next year despite a "blockade imposed by Gulf neighbours," an official said, according to the AFP. The Al Wakrah 40,000-seat stadium, "designed in the shape of a boat by the late award-winning architect Zaha Hadid," will come in line after Khalifa Stadium, which was delivered in May. Project Manager Thani Khalifa Al Zarah said, "The current project is going on schedule and Al Wakrah stadium will be delivered on time by the end of the next year." Zarah said that more than 50% of concrete work at the stadium "has been completed while steel material for the roof structure has already been delivered." He insisted that the border blockade is "not affecting the project and that the contractor is the party responsible for securing supplies" (AFP, 7/18).