Qataris test venue for World Cup final with record attendance at Lusail Stadium

September 11 - The Lusail Super Cup between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and Egypt's Zamalek on Friday drew a record 77,000 spectators to the venue that will host the FIFA Cup final. world as Qatari organizers held one last major test before the winter tournament.

North of Doha, Lusail Stadium is the 80,000-seat centerpiece of Qatar's World Cup which will host ten matches during the tournament, including the final on December 18. On Friday, the organizers organized a big test event with the Lusail Super Cup between the Saudi champion and the Cairo giants.

Before kick-off, Egyptian music legend Amr Diab performed. The organizers hired the famous musician to attract a large audience and they got one as the 77,575 spectators broke the record for the most attended football match in Qatar. The previous record was Qatar against the United Arab Emirates in the FIFA Arab Cup, with 63,439 spectators.

Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz, whose team beat Zamalek 4-1, showered the hosts with praise.

"The match was exceptionally organized and the warm hospitality made us feel welcome," Diaz said. "We played this game in front of so many spectators and in such an impressive stadium - the atmosphere was great. We were part of a truly magnificent event. I want to thank Qatar for giving us this opportunity."

"Hats off to Qatar's pioneering ability. The air conditioning helped the players perform at their best on the pitch."

But not all fans shared Diaz's view. On social media, Qataris have complained about long queues, lack of water and drink availability and air conditioning, demanding that the Supreme Committee for Inheritance and Delivery, the body responsible for organize the World Cup, adjust operations during the World Cup.

Lusail will be one of eight venues for the first Winter World Cup and the first World Finals in the Arab world.

With Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, venue for the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, the only ground outside of Doha, the tournament will also be the most compact ever organized.

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