World Cup 2022 Stadium Guide: A Look at the Venues in Qatar

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.