Portugal plays in a stadium made with 974 containers

Stadium 974! It’s called that because 974 is Qatar’s phone code and built with 974 containers and will receive Portugal-Ghana (Thursdays at 4pm on RTP1 and Sport TV). It is said to be the world’s first detachable stadium and is estimated to have cost more than 300 million euros. Quite a mess considering that it will be dismantled (or recycled, depending on your point of view).

The containers were manufactured by China International Marine Containers, based on an idea developed by Fenwick Architects. The 974 containers are connected by recycled modular steel, allowing them to be dismantled after Qatar 2022. That is indeed a certainty, but it can either be converted into different infrastructures for the most diverse purposes, or rented and shipped anywhere in the world, where it can be exactly as it is or with minor modifications. For now, it will be dismantled and sent to Maldonado, Uruguay, where it will be rebuilt to host matches for the eventual 2030 World Cup (!) if the South American bid (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile) host the event that also has Portugal, Spain and Ukraine in the race.

Seen as a picture of economic sustainability and innovation – it has five-star certification from the Global Sustainability Assessment System – the infrastructure saves 40% water and dispenses with the use of air conditioning, something unthinkable in the other seven venues hosting the World Championship , in Qatar, where the temperature rises above 30 degrees and the humidity is around 65%. The design allows for natural ventilation through openings in the frame and spaces between the seats, with breezes coming in from the sea.

Located in a coastal area of ​​Doha, the location is very close to Doha and Hamad International Airports and aims to honor world trade and shipping. It has a capacity of 44,089 people and will host at least seven matches, including the debut of the Portuguese national team. O The last day of life as Estádio 974 is on December 5, 2022, in a match between the winner of Group G and the 2nd place in Group H (it could be Portugal).