World Cup 2022 Stadium Guide: All About The Host Venues

The World Cup is almost upon us and while plenty of us will be already placing our bets on Qatar 2022, many more are just starting to take interest in the competition as the Premier League and Championship begins to wind down. 

It’s certainly a World Cup with a difference, and whether you’re for or against the tournament being held in the country, it’s difficult to deny how impressive the set-up and stadiums now look.

A total of eight stadiums across Qatar will host matches during the tournament, with a large number of those being around the Doha area of the country, each with a capacity of 40,000 or over.

As the tournament gets ever closer, here’s our guide to each stadium and what you need to know about it…

 

Lusail Iconic Stadium

• City: Lusail
• Capacity: 80,000
• Opened: 2021

The Lusail Iconic Stadium is the biggest stadium hosting games during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will host the most number of games at 10, including the Final on December 18.

The stadium was built for the World Cup and will carry a zero carbon footprint, with the stadium cooled and powered largely by solar. It will host games in Group C, G and H as well as a game in each of the Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals, as well as the Final. 

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 22, 2022: Argentina v Saudi Arabia
• November 24, 2022: Brazil v Serbia
• November 26, 2022: Argentina v Mexico
• November 28, 2022: Portugal v Uruguay
• November 30, 2022: Saudi Arabia v Mexico 
• December 2, 2022: Cameroon v Brazil
• December 6, 2022: Round of 16
• December 9, 2022: Quarter Final
• December 13, 2022: Semi Final
• December 18, 2022: Final

Read More: 9/1 Group winners accumulator tip for the World Cup.

 

Al Bayt Stadium

• City: Al Khor
• Capacity: 60,000
• Opened: 2021

Located around 35 kilometres from Doha, the Al Bayt Stadium is another sustainable stadium that is one of the most beautiful looking stadiums on the planet. The opening fixture of Qatar versus Ecuador will take place in the stadium and it’s already hosted a memorable tournament as Algeria beat Tunisia in the FIFA Arab Cup just a year ago.

It’ll host a total of nine games across the tournament, including England’s game with the United States, with games coming from Group A, B, E and F, alongside a number of knockout games.

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 20, 2022: Qatar v Ecuador
• November 23, 2022: Morocco v Croatia
• November 25, 2022: England v USA
• November 27, 2022: Spain v Germany
• November 29, 2022: Netherlands v Qatar
• December 1, 2022: Costa Rica v Germany
• December 4, 2022: Round of 16
• December 10, 2022: Quarter Final
• December 14, 2022: Semi Final

 

Stadium 974

• City: Doha
• Capacity: 40,000
• Opened: 2021

Stadium 974 is an interesting-looking stadium built right on the waterfront and is the first-ever temporary venue in the history of the competition. Built using 974 shipping containers, the stadium is set to be dismantled after the tournament, but first will host six Group Stage fixtures, as well as a Round of 16 game. 

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 22, 2022: Mexico v Poland
• November 24, 2022: Portugal v Ghana
• November 26, 2022: France v Denmark
• November 28, 2022: Brazil v Switzerland
• November 30, 2022: Poland v Argentina
• December 2, 2022: Serbia v Switzerland
• December 5, 2022: Round of 16

 

Al Thumama Stadium

• City: Doha
• Capacity: 40,000
• Opened: 2021

Located right by the airport, the stadium takes its inspiration from the traditional taqiyah hat and it’s certainly one of the most beautiful looking stadiums hosting games in the tournament. In total it will host eight games, including games from Group A, Group B, Group E and Group F. 

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 21, 2022: Senegal v Netherlands
• November 23, 2022: Spain v Costa Rica
• November 25, 2022: Qatar v Senegal
• November 27, 2022: Belgium v Morocco
• November 29, 2022: Iran v USA
• December 1, 2022: Canada v Morocco
• December 4, 2022: Round of 16
• December 10, 2022: Quarter Final

 

Khalifa International Stadium

• City: Doha
• Capacity: 45,416
• Opened: 1976

The Khalifa Stadium in Doha has recently been revamped and has long been the home to the Qatari national side. It has hosted many major events across athletics and football and hosted the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, including the Final. 

It’ll be host to eight games in the World Cup, including England’s opener with Iran, as well as the Third Place Play-Off.

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 21, 2022: England v Iran
• November 23, 2022: Germany v Japan
• November 25, 2022: Netherlands v Ecuador
• November 27, 2022: Croatia v Canada
• November 29, 2022:Ecuador v Senegal
• December 1, 2022: Japan v Spain
• December 3, 2022: Round of 16
• December 17, 2022: Third Place Play-Off

Read More: Who will win the 2022 World Cup? Get our betting tips.

 

Education City Stadium

• City: Doha
• Capacity: 45,350
• Opened: 2020

Built for the World Cup, but as part of a complex that will be home to the local university’s athletics teams, the Education City Stadium is an impressive build that has been nicknamed the Diamond in the Desert, as well as being one of the most environmentally sustainable stadiums on the planet, with 20% of all materials being used being green. 

Like many other stadiums at the tournament, it’ll host eight games, from groups C and D, as well as three games in Group H. 

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 22, 2022: Denmark v Tunisia
• November 24, 2022: Uruguay  v South Korea
• November 26, 2022: Poland v Saudi Arabia
• November 28, 2022: South Korea v Ghana
• November 30, 2022: Tunisia v France
• December 2, 2022: South Korea v Portugal
• December 6, 2022: Round of 16
• December 9, 2022: Quarter Final

 

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

• City: Al Rayyan
• Capacity: 44,750
• Opened: 2003

Often known as the Al Rayyan Stadium, this multi-purpose arena has recently been rebuilt into the 44,000+ capacity stadium it is now, and will see Wales play all three of their group games in the venue.

It will host a total of six Group Stage games, as well as a Round of 16 game, with it predominantly hosting Group B.

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 21, 2022: USA v Wales
• November 23, 2022: Belgium v  Canada
• November 25, 2022: Wales v Iran
• November 27, 2022: Japan v Costa Rica
• November 29, 2022: Wales v England
• December 1, 2022: Croatia v Belgium
• December 3, 2022: Round of 16

 

Al Janoub Stadium

• City: Al Wakrah
• Capacity: 40,000
• Opened: 2019

Perhaps the most funkily designed stadium of the World Cup is the Al Janoub Stadium, a postmodernist and neo-futurist design with a retractable roof. It’s inspired by the sails of the traditional Dhow boats and is home to the Al-Wakrah Sports Club in the Qatar Stars League. The stadium will host a total of six Group Stage games and one knockout fixture.

Dates for the Diary: 

• November 22, 2022: France v Australia
• November 24, 2022: Switzerland v Cameroon
• November 26, 2022: Tunisia v Australia
• November 28, 2022: Cameroon v Serbia
• November 30, 2022: Australia v Denmark
• December 2, 2022: Ghana v Uruguay
• December 5, 2022: Round of 16

 

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