Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums: All the details on this World Cup’s stadiums

Football is the most popular sport in the world, and fans who live for it are more than excited as they await the World Cup 2022. The most-viewed football event will be held in Qatar in November 2022, and fans worldwide will be stuck on their screens, while millions will extend their love by watching all 64 games live in Qatar. This article features the Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums that will host the tournament.

Qatar is home to less than 3 million people. With over 1.2 million fans expected to visit for the tournament, the country is expected to gain massively during and after the tournament. While the organizers built stadiums with modular elements that will build the World Cup's legacy beyond Qatar, the reconfiguration will leave Qatar with stadiums of over 20,000 - 25,000 seats, catering to most of its domestic entertainment needs.

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Inside the eight amazing World Cup 2022 Qatar stadiums

8. Al Bayt Stadium

Built over three years since 2015 and opened on 30 November 2022, Al Bayt cost over $847 million. It holds 60,000 seats. It is expected to host the competition's opening match and features an amazing retractable roof and state-of-the-art cooling technology. It will be downsized to 32,000 seats after the event.

7. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Located in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, it is a multipurpose stadium and home to the famous Al Rayyan and Al-Kharitiyath SC. With the ability to host over 44,000 spectators using modular elements during the tournament, it is expected to be downsized to nearly 20,000 seats after the tournament.

6. Al Janoub Stadium

Lying in the southern city of Al Wakrah, Al Janoub hosts 40,000 spectators. Built from 2014 to 2019, the arena has boosted the country's economy thanks to the many individuals involved in its construction. Its structure is equivalent to a traditional dhow boat, in tribute to the city's fishing and pearl diving past.

5. Khalifa International Arena

It is the oldest arena in Qatar, dating its inauguration to 1976. It was later renovated and expanded in 2005 to serve as the centerpiece of the 2006 Asian games. With a 40,000 capacity, its splendid dual arches are its most recognizable features, with an added canopy below them, ensuring the cooling system maintains a comfortable temperature.

4. Education City Stadium

Education City arena is located in Al Rayyan and hosts 40,000 spectators. It is the first Qatar World Cup 2022 arena to achieve a five-star design and build rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) thanks to its enclosed outer shell that resembles a diamond. It is highly reflective during the day and illuminated with thousands of diodes at night. It is scheduled to host the tournament's quarter-final match.

3. Lusail Stadium

Lusail multipurpose arena is located in Lusail and is the largest arena in Qatar, covering an area of 140,000 square meters and accommodating 80,000 spectators. It is the primary field and will host the final ceremony of the 2022 tournament. It is designed to resemble a giant bowl with a limited footprint growing upwards. After the competition, the arena will be transformed into a community centre as part of Qatar's commitment to sustainable development.

2. Stadium 974

Opened on 30 November 2021, it is made of 974 recycled shipping containers, reducing construction costs, duration and resources. It sits 40,000 spectators, and the materials will be completely dismantled after the competition and re-utilised.

1. Al Thumama Stadium

It is a 40,000-seater arena located in Al Thumama, Qatar. Named after a locally found tree, the arena's dynamic and imaginative shape features a distinctive circular form and was designed to look like a gahfiya, a traditional wooden head cap worn by men throughout the Middle East. A total of 8 matches will be hosted at the field, including 6 group stage matches, one round of 16 matches and one Quarter finals match.

What are the capacity requirements for Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums?

Each arena hosting a game to have at least a capacity of 40,000 seats, those hosting the quarter-final should have a minimum of 60,000, while those hosting the finals or the opening ceremony must have at least 80,000 seats. All these have been approved for the 2022 World Cup.

How many stadiums are in Qatar for the World Cup 2022?

A total of eight arenas spread across five cities will host 32 teams in 64 matches of the FIFA 2022 World Cup. The fields include Al Thumama, 974 stadium, Lusail, Education City stadium, Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Ahmad Bin Ali, and the Al Bayt stadium.

Why is the World Cup 2022 in November?

The decision was made not to host the tournament from the usual June to July to combat the fierce Qatari heat, which is usually more than 40 degrees during the period. This decision forced the governing body, FIFA, to move the tournament to November when temperatures drop to an average of 24 degrees in November and 21 degrees in December.

Who are the favourites to win the World Cup?

According to various sources, Brazil has a highest chance of winning the tournament. The five-time winners are a threat to many, followed closely by France, Argentina, England and Spain.

Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums' map

More than a million fans are expected in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. Most are first-time visitors, so the map below will help them navigate the eight stadiums hosting the games.

Why is the World Cup 2022 controversial?

The hosts, Qatar, have been in the limelight for the unwelcoming treatment of migrant workers, which has led teams to boycott the tournament altogether. In addition, its poor human rights record has recently plagued the Gulf state, creating controversy on whether it is good for the visitors during the competition.

How does the World Cup affect the Premier League?

Yes. The Premier League continued until the weekend of the 12th and 13th of November and then did break for the World Cup. The mid-season break will allow those involved to represent their countries in the competition that will take place in the Middle East.

Why is the World Cup in Qatar?

The Gulf state secured rights to the tournament after winning a ballot of FIFA's 22 executive members. It crushed bids from the U.S, South Korea, Japan, and Australia to clinch the privilege of being the first Arab nation to host the competition.

Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums are spread across five cities favourable for tournament hosting. New residences, hotels, and accommodations have been built to cater to the expected 1.2 million fans visiting. Everything is set, and we are all eagerly waiting for 20 November when the tournament kicks off.

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