Qatar unveil new 60,000-seater Al Bayt stadium for World Cup 2022

Al Bayt stadium is based on a traditional black-and-white tent



New arena is Qatar's second to be unveiled - just 30 miles north of Doha

Stadium will be finished by 2018 ahead of the World Cup in 2022

Three more stadiums will have started construction by end of this year



Qatar have revealed the design for the second of its 10 brand new stadiums being built ahead of hosting the World Cup in 2022.

The Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor City, just over 30 miles north of the capital Doha, is expected to be ready by 2018, well ahead of schedule to host the tournament in eight years time.

Preliminary work has already begun on the extravagant arena, the design of which is based on Bayt Al Sha’ar, a traditional black-and-white tent used by nomadic people in Qatar.

Lighting up the World Cup: Qatar's new Al Bayt stadium - to be completed in 2018 - at night

Fans view: 60,000 people will pack into the new stadium when the World Cup comes to Qatar in 2022

It follows the 40,000 Al Wakrah stadium as the second World Cup arena to be unveiled of a total of 10 before the tournament.

The area surrounding the venue will feature space for local businesses and restaurants, as well as landscaped paths to be used for exercise.



Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: 'The launch of Al Bayt Stadium & Precinct, the second proposed stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is another milestone of progress.

Red roof: The stadium's design is based on a traditional black-and-white Qatari nomadic tent

'By the end of 2014 we will have five stadiums under construction, demonstrating our deep commitment to delivering an amazing experience in 2022 and beyond.'

A detachable upper tier will see the stadium's capacity downsized to 32,000-seater after the World Cup. The removed seats will be reconfigured and donated to other countries to leave a legacy for international football development.

