Populous, the architects behind London’s Olympic Stadium, have won the contract to design a 40,000-capacity stadium for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The studio will be charged with creating a “new neighbourhood” as part of the proposed host venue development on the waterfront of Ras Abu Aboud, Doha.

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has revealed the stadium would be built on a 450,000 sq m (4.8m sq ft) site and has been earmarked to host matches up to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Christopher Lee, senior principal at Populous, said the venues was “going to be a game-changer”.

“We have a long-standing tradition of designing venues with a genuine legacy including the London, Sydney and Sochi Olympic stadiums,” he added. “The SC has challenged us to go further again.”

Ghanim Al Kuwari, SC competition venues executive director, said: “All our planning for the 2022 FIFA World Cup keeps in mind the legacy use of the stadiums after the tournament is finished.”

“This design aims to create a unique and memorable addition to the cityscape. With this project we want to achieve a successful conversion from a sports venue into an appealing non-sports legacy.”