Germany's Ed Zueblin has been selected to execute the piling and enabling works for the stadium, and contracts for the main building works and various subcontracting packages are being finalised. UK-based Mott MacDonald is the project manager.

The proposals for a stadium in Khalifa City are the latest evidence of the UAE's commitment to promoting itself as a venue for major sporting events.

In May, the UAE was selected by football's world governing body, Fifa, to organise the Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010, and Abu Dhabi will host its first Formula One race in November 2009.

The Khalifa Stadium project is the latest real estate project in Abu Dhabi involving Mubadala. It is developing Suwa island in a joint venture with Chicago-based The John Buck Company.