The final stadium of the soccer World Cup in Qatar was fully booked for the first time on Friday evening.
According to the organizers, 72 days before the start of the controversial winter tournament, 80,000 spectators watched the match between the winners of the Saudi Arabian Pro League and the Egyptian Premier League at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Al Hilal defeated Egypt’s champion Zamalek 4-1 on penalties in the so-called Lusail Super Cup, after regulation time it was 1-1. A concert by Egyptian artist Amr Diab also took place before the game at the $675 million arena, located 15 kilometers north of central Doha.
The event was a test run for security, the border immigration system and the multi-billion dollar driverless subway that is set to transport more than a million fans around the Qatari capital during the World Cup. On December 18th, the Lusail Stadium will serve as the stage for the final, a total of ten of the 64 games played there during the World Cup (starting November 20th).
According to the organizer, the design of the final stadium is “inspired by the play of light and shadow of the fanar, the traditional Arabic lantern. Its shape and golden facade pick up on the decorative patterns and motifs found on bowls, vessels and other objects throughout the Arabic and Islamic world works of art can be rediscovered”.
The WM-OK prides itself on “sustainable building practices”. For example, recycled water was used to water plants around the stadium. However, there has been harsh criticism from human rights organizations for years about the undignified conditions and exploitation of foreign workers on the World Cup stadium construction sites.