Qatar will issue new tenders for five stadium projects in 2014, according to the secretary-general of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee.

Speaking at a press conference to unveil the new design for Al-Wakrah Stadium, Hassan al-Thawadi said tenders will be issued for early works, enabling works and main contractors for five stadiums in 2014

“Al-Wakrah is the first of six stadiums already in the latter stages of the design process,” said Al-Thawadi. “Our committee has issued ten major tenders to the market encompassing project and design managers and stadium-operation consultants,” he added.

The new design for the 40,000-seat Al-Wakrah Stadium was developed by US-based Aecom, along with UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects.

“Today’s announcement constitutes the first in an upcoming series of progress-related events and initiatives as we enter the early phase of delivering the promises we made to Fifa and the international football community during the bid,” he said. “We are proud to reveal what we believe is a truly unique stadium design and surrounding precinct that will serve the population and act as a social hub for the community of Al-Wakrah, and Qatar as a whole, during the 2022 Fifa World Cup and for the years to follow.”

On Al-Wakrah Stadium specifically, early works on the stadium site will begin in January, with the tender for the main contractor issued in the second quarter, Al-Thawadi said.  Stadium construction will begin in the fourth quarter.