Qatar to build fewer World Cup stadiums

[DUBAI] Qatar has reduced the number of stadiums it plans to build for the 2022 soccer World Cup by a third amid rising costs and delays.

The country, which won the right in 2010 to host the world's most-watched sporting event, plans to build eight stadiums for the games, Ghanim Al Kuwari, the organising committee's senior manager for projects, said at a conference in Doha on Sunday.

The country originally announced plans for 12 stadiums, including nine new playing fields and three refurbishments.