Which are the top 20 ranking best World Cup stadiums of all time?

Which are the top 20 ranking best World Cup stadiums of all time?

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM

Qatar has produced some of the best World Cup stadiums. Several magnificent arenas have hosted World Cup games since 1930, providing a stage for unforgettable moments and for fantasy football players to shine. According to reports, the cost tag for Qatar's new arenas is between $6.5 billion and $10 billion.

best world cup stadiums
Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, during the UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 14, 2022. Photo: Victor Carretero
Source: Getty Images

Legends of the greatest players, the most exciting games, and the best crowds are passed down through the ages. Without those great players, coaches, and fans, none of this would have happened, but without a ground to hold and contain it all, we would be left with nothing but memories. These are the top 20 best World Cup stadiums of all time.

20. Azadi Stadium (Tehran, Iran)

best World Cup stadiums capacity
A general view of Azadi Stadium during Iran against China PR - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier on March 28, 2017, in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Amin M. Jamali
Source: Getty Images

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Capacity: 95,225

It was inaugurated in 1973 and is part of a much bigger sports complex with a picturesque lake, several practice fields, and swimming facilities. In addition to hosting the national and two local teams, the arena symbolizes Iran's financial resources and ambition to compete at the top level of international sports.

19. De Meer Stadion (Amsterdam)

best World Cup stadiums qatar
28 April 1996, the De Meer Stadion in Amsterdam before its final match as the home of AFC Ajax. Photo: Mark Leech
Source: Getty Images

Tenants: Ajax, the Netherlands national football team

Capacity: 53,052

The Netherlands' national football stadium, also known as the Amsterdam Arena, is popular among supporters everywhere. De Meer, home to one of Europe's top teams, has seen some of the best footballers in history play on its field. Over the years, renowned red-and-white strip wearers include Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, Ronald Koeman, and Johan Cruyff.

18. Estadio Da Luz (Lisbon, Portugal)

best World Cup stadiums ever
Estadia Da Luz in Portugal. Photo: @totalBarca on Twitter
Source: UGC

Capacity: 65,647

Although Portugal is home to several elite European football teams and spectacular venues, none can match Benfica's, Estadio da Luz. The architectural firm Populous designed the two arenas, which serve as the residence of Portugal's most prosperous team and the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal.

17. Ibrox Stadium (Glasgow, Scotland)

best World Cup stadiums qatar
Ibrox Stadium, Scotland. Photo: @PaisleySteelman
Source: UGC

Capacity: 51,082

Rangers, one of the most well-known clubs in the world, play at Ibrox. The Old Firm club is going through its most trying period in history after being demoted to Scottish football's lowest division due to financial issues.

16. Juventus Stadium (Turin, Italy)

best World Cup stadiums all time
Juventus stadium in Turin. Photo: @UEFA on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Capacity: 41,254

The Juventus Stadium is by far one of the newest stadiums on the list. Therefore it has not had a chance to rise to the top, but it still occupies a significant position due to its fantastic atmosphere and stunning design. Despite being less than two years old, the arena already holds two Italian scudettos, owing to Juventus' undefeated 2011–12 season and subsequent 2012–13 league-winning campaign.

15. Celtic Park (Glasgow, Scotland)

Which stadium is the most iconic in the world?
Celtic stadium, Scotland. @CFC_Stadium on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Capacity: 60,355

Football enthusiasts must visit Scotland's oldest and largest stadium, Celtic Park. Many people consider Celtic fans among the greatest in the world and true football enthusiasts. Regardless of the importance of the game, Celtic Park frequently fills, a testament to the fantastic venue and fans.

14. Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

best World Cup stadiums capacity
Estadio Monumental in Argentina. Photo: @wikistadiums on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Capacity: 67,664

River Plate, the most popular club in Argentina, and the national team both play their home games at the Estadio Monumental. In 1978, the contentious World Cup final was played in this arena, the largest in Argentina. The ticker tape covering the field became an instant icon.

13. Estadio Alberto J. Armando (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

best World Cup stadiums cost
Estadio Alberto in Argentina. Photo: @JorgeCPicon on Twitter
Source: UGC

Team: Boca Juniors

Capacity: 49,000

La Bombanera (literally, "the chocolate box") is regarded as Argentina's most recognizable stadium, despite being dwarfed in size by Estadio Monumental, the nation's main arena. One of the most distinctive elements of Boca Juniors' home stadium, La Bombanera, is the "flat" stand on one side of the field and the three deep stands on the other.

12. Estadio Centenario (Montevideo, Uruguay)

best World Cup stadiums
Estadio Centenario in Ururguay. Photo: @LETFootball on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: the Uruguayan national team

Capacity: 65,235

The Uruguayan national stadium is a classic among the Maracana, Wembley, Giuseppe Meazza, Azteca, and Santiago Bernabéu because it hosted the first World Cup final. The only arena in the history of football to have such a distinction, it was recognized by FIFA as a historical monument in 1983.

11. Anfield (Liverpool, England)

best World Cup stadiums cost
Anfield in England. Photo: @LFC on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: Liverpool

Capacity: 45,276

One of the world's best stadiums is Liverpool's Anfield, which is famous all over the globe. There is a reason for optimism for the Reds, as they have won the European Cup five times. Anfield will always remain a fan favourite, from the renowned "This Is Anfield" sign hanging in the tunnel to the genuine home fans singing "You'll Never Walk Alone."

10. First National Bank Stadium (Johannesburg, South Africa)

best World Cup stadiums capacity
FNB Stadium in South Africa. Photo: @FnbStadium on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: Kaizer Chiefs, the South African national football team

Capacity: 94,736

Also known as Soccer City, the FNB arena was opened in 1989 and was renovated in 2009 in advance of South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup. Even though the South African club team Kaizer Chiefs currently calls the arena home, it will always be connected with the tournament's 2010 final and the opening game and goal of the tournament, when Siphiwe Tshabalala buried a booming shot past the Mexican goalie.

9. Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)

best World Cup stadiums capacity
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Photo: @EstadioAzteca on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: Club America FC, the Mexican national football team

Capacity: 105,064

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City has a massive capacity and an electrifying atmosphere when it is full, but it is most famous for hosting two World Cup finals. It is where Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal, which is bad news for England fans. It is a top-notch facility and the third-largest football arena in the world.

8. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (Milan, Italy)

Which stadium is the most iconic in the world?
Stadio Giuseppe in Milan, Italy. Photo: @FIFAWorldCup on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: AC Milan, Internazionale

Capacity: 80,018

Both AC Milan and Internazionale, bitter football rivals, call the San Siro, a multi-purpose field, home. It is the biggest and most well-known in the country. The San Siro is one of the world's most prestigious arenas because it has hosted the finals of the European Cup and the Champions League.

7. Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund, Germany)

best World Cup stadiums ever
Eine Uebersicht waehrend des Bundesliga Spiels zwischen Borussia Dortmund und Schalke 04 in dem Signal Iduna Park am 20. Oktober in Dortmund, Deutschland. Photo: Friedemann Vogel
Source: Getty Images

Team: Borussia Dortmund

Capacity: 80,645

The stadium where Borussia Dortmund plays used to be known as the Westfalenstadion and is the largest in Germany. The last four years have been phenomenal for Dortmund, who have won back-to-back Bundesliga titles and advanced to the final of the Champions League, boosting their profile across Europe.

6. Allianz Arena (Munich)

best World Cup stadiums all time
Allianz Arena (Munich) in Germany. Photo: @FCBayernEN on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: Bayern Munich, 1860 Munich

Capacity: 71,437

The city's two professional football teams, Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich, play home games at the state-of-the-art Allianz Arena. This arena can switch between red for Bayern and blue for 1860 Munich, making it the only one in Europe.

5. The Maracana (Rio de Janeiro)

Which stadium is the most iconic in the world?
General view during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Final match between Brazil and Spain at Maracana on June 30, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
Source: Getty Images

Team: The Brazilian national football team

Capacity: 78,838

The field's record-breaking capacity of 199,854 was displayed during the deciding group stage encounter between Brazil and Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup (there was no final that year). Although the home team suffered a crushing loss, the game will be remembered as a classic.

4. Old Trafford (Manchester, England)

best World Cup stadiums capacity
In an aerial view, Old Trafford football stadium, home of Manchester United FC, on April 1, 2022, in Manchester, England. Photo: Joe Prior
Source: Getty Images

Team: Manchester United

Capacity: 75,731

"The Theatre of Dreams" is an impressive facility. The original stadium for the Red Devils opened in 1910, and after a restoration in 2006, it became England's largest club arena. It is Manchester United's home field, one of the wealthiest clubs in the world. Old Trafford has been one of the best World Cup stadiums with a large capacity.

3. Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)

best World Cup stadiums ever
A general view during the La Liga matches between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 25, 2014, in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Angel Martinez
Source: Getty Images

Team: Real Madrid, the Spanish national football team

Capacity: 85,454

One of Europe's most successful clubs calls the Santiago Bernabeu home. Real Madrid's status as one of the best football teams in the world is cemented by their nine European Cup victories, and the Bernabeu Stadium is the perfect setting for them to display their talents. Bernabeu has served as one of the best World Cup stadiums ever.

2. Camp Nou (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain)

best World Cup stadiums qatar
Nou Camp Stadium. Photo: @FCBarcelona on Twitter (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Team: FC Barcelona

Capacity: 98,757

Camp Nou is Europe's largest football ground and is home to one of the great football teams. The capacity of Camp Nou once eclipsed 120,000 for the 1982 World Cup finals, but it has now been reduced e to changes in laws regarding standing in fields, Nou Camp is one of the best World Cup stadiums of all time.

1. Which stadium is the most iconic in the world?

Which stadium is the most iconic in the world?
Wembley Stadium in England. Photo: @wembleystadium on Twitter
Source: UGC

The Wembley Stadium in London is without a doubt, the most iconic stadium in world football. Reopened in 2007, the new Wembley was built on the previous 1923 Wembley arena site. Famous as one of the most electric atmospheres in football, the new design has encompassed everything great about the original stadium and has added to that further.

These famous football arenas may be found worldwide depending on historical or other influential reasons. Wembley remains the most iconic complex in soccer.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.