When Qatar developed the al-Thumama Complex for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the primary goal was to provide comfortable accommodation for fans from around the world. Designed with a blend of functional elements and local architectural style, it reflected Qatar's commitment to building versatile infrastructure, though it was not without controversy and ongoing debates regarding the migrant worker deaths that occurred while the complex was being built. Yet, as the tournament ended and the global spotlight moved on, it was not foreseen that this residential complex would serve a completely different purpose, which it has now undertaken for more than a year.
In the aftermath of the World Cup, the al-Thumama Complex transformed into emergency housing for evacuees from Gaza, amid the Israeli war and ongoing bombardment that left widespread destruction. The initiative, emerging from humanitarian negotiations in which Qatar played a central role alongside Egypt, 'aimed to sponsor 3,000 orphans and provide medical care for 1,500 injured Palestinians'. Since its launch on 3 December 2023, Qatar has evacuated more than 500 wounded individuals, over 800 companions and 700 special cases. Alongside Qatar's efforts, 5,500 Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt for treatment, while approximately 100 others received specialised care in the United Arab Emirates. Those relocated to Qatar now reside in the al-Thumama Complex, located in the south of the capital, where injured individuals continue to receive treatment at various hospitals across the country.
This facility has become a part of Qatar's broader humanitarian strategy, providing daily support to evacuees from a war-torn region. Recently – before the resumption of Israeli bombardment – a temporary ceasefire was reached. Although human suffering persisted throughout, the truce provided an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned during the conflict, particularly from the few initiatives that went beyond the humanitarian negotiation stage. These reflections can guide future strategies, and the example of repurposing sports infrastructure highlights the sustainable potential of facilities built for global events to play essential roles in times of crisis.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, similar examples emerged as sports venues were utilised to meet humanitarian needs, particularly in responding to the health crisis. For instance, Brazil's Maracanã Stadium, a historic football venue, was transformed into a field hospital to treat Covid-19 patients. Likewise, Japan converted parts of the Tokyo 2020 Athletes' Village into healthcare and housing facilities, showcasing the adaptability of sports venues to support public health and humanitarian needs. This was part of a broader phenomenon observed in many countries, where large facilities such as hotels and schools were temporarily converted to meet urgent health needs during the pandemic.
It is also worth noting that Qatar made ambitious commitments upon winning the bid to host the World Cup, pledging to make FIFA Qatar 2022 the most sustainable in the history of the game as an ongoing legacy for the tournament....