Qatar World Cup Stadium Trial Beset by Long Lines, Lack of Water

The Lusail Stadium’s trial run was filled with logistical problems less than 70 days before the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

The stadium, which will host the Dec. 18 World Cup final and was the last of eight stadiums to open, hosted the Lusail Super Cup between Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal and Egypt’s Zamalek on Friday as 77,575 fans attended. 

But according to Reuters, the operation was overrun by concerning problems in anticipation of the 1.2 million people that are expected to arrive in the country for the tournament. 

Reuters reported that the stadium ran out of water by halftime while the stadium’s cooling system struggled to keep the stadium cool on a day when the temperature was 93 degrees. Meanwhile, the report said that medical staff and suppliers had trouble accessing the stadium.  

Doha News also reported that there were 45-minute walks for fans in the heat from parking lots to the stadium while waits for the metro lasted more than two hours.

“Every team involved in the event’s organization gained invaluable experience they will carry into this year’s tournament,” the organizers, called the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in a statement to Reuters. 

With a capacity of 80,000, Lusail Stadium is the country’s biggest stadium while Friday’s match was the most-attended match in Qatar’s history. FIFA said that 2.45 million tickets out of three million have already been sold.

Earlier this month, FIFA announced that fans will be allowed to buy Budweiser beer  within the eight stadium compounds before and after matches, but not at concourse concession stands, where only non-alcoholic beer will be available.