The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has invited firms to prequalify for the contract to provide design consultancy services for a stadium that will be used to host football’s World Cup in 2022.

Consultants have until 25 April to submit prequalification entries. The client has not yet released any information on which of the planned nine new stadiums the contract is for. In addition to the nine new stadiums planned, Qatar will upgrade three existing stadiums to host the world’s biggest sporting event in 2022.

In February, MEED reported that the Supreme Committee was close to appointing consultants for the design and project management of the Wakrah stadium, which will be used to host the world cup.

According to sources in Doha, consultants are close to finalising contracts for the project management consultancy role and the design and engineering role. The companies expected to win the work have not yet been confirmed.

The 2022 Supreme Committee received bids from firms on 29 July last year for the project and construction management contract. It also received design proposals from consultants last year.The 45,000-seat capacity Wakrah stadium will be built at Al-Wakrah city in southern Qatar. The arena is one of nine new stadiums planned as part of Qatar’s preparation to host the World Cup. In addition to the new stadiums, Doha is planning to expand three existing stadiums.

The largest new stadium planned is the Lusail Iconic Stadium, which will have a capacity of more than 86,000 people and is to be used for the opening match and the final. Doha expects to spend $4bn on building the new stadiums and related sporting infrastructure for the event.