Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Photos: Lusail Super Cup tests stadium hosting World Cup final

Photos: Lusail Super Cup tests stadium hosting World Cup final

Lusail Iconic Stadium, the last to be officially inaugurated, was put through its first test.

The $675m stadium that Qatar will use for this year’s World Cup final was put through its first test with a match between the Egyptian and Saudi champions.

Seventy-two days from the start of the tournament, organisers said that more than 77,000 fans were inside the 80,000-capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium for the pre-match concert by Egyptian superstar Amr Diab and the game in which Al Hilal beat Egyptians Zamalek on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Lusail Stadium is the last stadium to host a competitive fixture and is at the heart of a new city being built north of the Gulf state’s capital Doha.

It will host 10 World Cup matches, including the December 18 final.

The game was a test run for security, the border immigration system and the Doha Metro as well as crowd management.

Hundreds of Saudi and Egyptian fans crossed the Abu Samra border in buses, after leaving their cars on the Saudi side.

FIFA says that 2.45 million of the three million World Cup tickets have been sold and that a final round of online sales will be held later this month.

Fans gather at the security gates before entering the stadium.

Spectators stop for a photo outside the stadium that will host the World Cup final on December 18.

People stand in a queue to scan their tickets.

The ticket scanning system at Lusail Iconic Stadium. The game between the Saudi Professional League champions and Egyptian Premier League winners was the first match to be held at the stadium featuring two foreign teams.

Fans enter the stadium before the match. Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser al-Khater has said there was 'no better way to test the full capacity of Lusail Stadium than by hosting two of the region’s biggest clubs'.

Al Hilal and Zamalek players were greeted by a massive crowd insde the stadium.

Al Hilal fans cheer for their team as kick-off approached.

Zamalek fans pose for a picture with their team's flag.

Lusail Stadium has a capacity of 80,000 and is the last of the eight World Cup venues to host matches.

The game between Al Hilal and Zamalek was their second encounter in nearly four years.

Ighalo of Al Hilal dribbles past Zamalek defence in their penalty area.

Al Hilal came into the game having won their last five matches, while the Giza-based Zamalek won only two.

Al Hilal made it six after winning the match 4-1 on penalty kicks.

The end of the evening saw Lusail Stadium lit by fireworks.


Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
×