AusLeisure

World football governing body FIFA has been forced to change the venue for three matches during its upcoming Club World Cup 2019, because the opening of Education City Stadium in Qatar has been postponed.

Khalifa International Stadium, the home of Qatar’s national team, will host three additional matches during the tournament with the official opening of Education City Stadium delayed until early 2020.

In addition to the double-header of games on 17th December - the fifth-place play-off and the semi-final involving CONMEBOL Libertadores winners Flamengo - Khalifa International Stadium will also host the second semi-final, involving UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool on 18th December, along with the final and the third-place play-off on 21st December.

Khalifa International Stadium has a capacity of 45,416 and reopened in May 2017 following a successful redevelopment to prepare it for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Arabian Gulf nation.

The Stadium is fully operational at present and hosted Arabian Gulf Cup fixtures along with the recent IAAF World Athletics Championships. It is also just a short walk from the nearest Doha Metro station, making it easy for fans to get to and from the venue.

Construction at Education City Stadium is complete and the venue is now operational. However, the necessary certification process took longer than expected and therefore the stadium was unable to host the required test events prior to the semi-final and final of the FIFA Club World Cup at full capacity.

A spokesperson advised "the priority is to ensure an enjoyable experience for all fans so it was decided to open the stadium at a later date."

In 2020, Education City Stadium - which is scheduled to host matches up to and including the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup - will become the third tournament-ready venue ahead of 2022.

Images: Artist's impression of Qatar's Education City Stadium (top) and the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha's Aspire Zone (below).

Related Articles

13th December 2019 - FFA and NZF unite to submit joint bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

10th December 2019 - World Anti-Doping Agency bans Russia from Tokyo Olympics and 2022 FIFA World Cup

7th October 2019 - Ignoring small crowds IAAF President Sebastian Coe describes World Athletics Championships Doha as ‘the best in history’

2nd October 2019 - IAAF embarrassment at tiny attendances at Doha World Championships

23rd September 2019 - Iranian authorities advise FIFA that women will be able to enter venues to watch football matches

2nd August 2019 - FIFA Council approves expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup for 2023

18th June 2019 - Qatar World Cup 2022 shows mega-events can transform countries

23rd May 2019 - FIFA drops plans to expand 2022 Qatar World Cup to 48 teams

29th March 2019 - Qatar 2022 organisers reveal playing surfaces for FIFA World Cup

6th February 2019 - Qatar and FIFA launch joint venture to oversee delivery of 2022 World Cup

22nd December 2018 - Qatar unveils design for final 2022 World Cup stadium

23rd November 2018 - Qatar World Cup organisers give venue progress update four years from event

5th October 2018 - Qatar reveals upgraded Khalifa International Stadium

29th July 2018 - Newspaper report alleges Qatar sabotaged 2022 FIFA World Cup rivals with smear campaign

9th June 2018 - Qatar’s Al Thumama Stadium wins prestigious international architectural accolade

22nd November 2017 - Qatar’s World Cup back in the spotlight at US FIFA trial

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.