The construction of Qatar’s Al Rayyan Stadium, a proposed host venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has entered a new phase after the first concrete was poured at the location of the stadium’s West Stand.

The milestone means the project, designed by architecture studio Ramboll and Pattern, is now five weeks ahead of schedule. As well as being a World Cup venue, it will also serve as the new home of Al Rayyan Sports Club, one of the most popular teams in Qatar.

Over 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel will be used during this phase of the project. Engineers led by Larsen & Toubro, the largest construction firm in India, have already started the excavation of the foundations with Qatari contractor Al Balagh Trading & Contracting. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2019.

Youssif Al-Musleh, competition venues deputy executive director at the Technical Delivery Office of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy – the body that is organising the World Cup – said: “We’re pleased with the progress being made on the site of Al Rayyan Stadium. Following the completion of the training sites for the team in August, the concrete pouring today is another significant step forward towards the completion of the stadium by 2019."

The multipurpose stadium replaces the former Al Rayyan Stadium, which was located on the same site and hosted various sports fixtures involving Al Rayyan Sports Club. With a capacity of 40,000, it will allow twice as many spectators to watch the games. The former ground has been demolished, with 90 per cent of the materials being reused in the new construction and some of the remainder being used by local and international artists to create works of public art.

The stadium is planned as a hub for the local community, with the area surrounding it including a mall, an aquatics centre, scenic walkways and a wedding hall. Excavation work for a planned Qatar Rail metro line has already been completed, and new road connections are currently being finished.

Al Rayyan’s sporting heritage and Qatar’s environment is reflected in the architecture of the stadium. The façade will feature a multitude of local patterns and designs drawing on Qatari culture. Most of the hospitality and service areas will be located outside the stadium in dune-like structures, which resemble the sand dunes that surround desert tents.