The eyes of the world were on Qatar as it became the first Arab country to host the FIFA World Cup. The compact nature of the venues and accommodation required detailed and integrated design, planning, testing and delivery of all elements needed to host the biggest sporting occasion in the world. 

Qatar’s delivery authority - Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL) – needed support planning and integrating the design, delivery and operation of seven new stadiums, one refurbished stadium, 45 new training sites and a FIFA Fan Festival.

As Programme Management Consultants, in partnership with Jacobs, Arup provided advice, technical expertise and design assurance in the 10 years leading to the event, from construction delivery to preparing for World Cup operations and a successful legacy transformation. We carried out engineering and technical concept design for Lusail Stadium and full design services for Education City Stadium, including structural and building engineering alongside specialist disciplines such as lighting, fire, sustainability and security. 

Integrated programme management 

Bringing together our expertise in major events, transport planning and traffic management, sports venue design, sustainability, digital innovation, infrastructure and city operations, we developed a comprehensive masterplan. In addition to preparing the competition venues for the tournament – leading a technical team in site definition, guiding design briefs and managing procurement for the construction of seven new stadiums – we integrated the delivery, testing and operations of all critical event aspects, including a successful legacy transformation.

We also carried out engineering and technical concept design for the Lusail Stadium and Education City Stadium, including lighting, power, fire, security, safety and transport design and planning.

A group of people holding a flag.

Helping fans enjoy a once in a lifetime experience. 

Fans arriving at the Lusail Stadium

Fans arriving at the centrepiece Lusail Stadium. 

Stadium at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

We helped prepare the competition venues for the tournament.

Moving millions of spectators and visitors 

Through transport and traffic engineering, mobility and security planning and effective wayfinding designed ahead of the event, millions of fans, athletes and dignitaries were able to move smoothly between venues, accommodation, media centres and festivities. The Doha Metro and Lusail Tram saw 9.19 million trips, with an average of 707,032 per day.

Three metro lines, two light rail systems, multiple new highways, utility infrastructure and accommodation, along with mobility planning and testing, were required to successfully host millions of fans, media and officials – advancing progress towards Qatar's 2030 vision.

The event attracted over three million spectators, with one million visitors travelling to the country. During this time, 1.8 million people enjoyed live broadcasts at the FIFA Fan Festival in Al Bidda Park. Five billion people were reached and engaged globally throughout the event, serving as a springboard for Qatar to host further major football events, increase tourism, and invest in sectors outside of the hydrocarbon industry.

Partners & collaborators

Jacobs / Foster + Partners (Lusail) / Fenwick Iribarren Architects (Education City)