Stadiums of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

By: Eniko

Posted: November 7, 2022

Updated: November 8, 2022

Qatar will host the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East
The 64 games will be played in 8 different stadiums, 7 of which are brand new
The Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail City will host the final on the 18th of December

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup getting closer and closer, it’s time to check the locations of the games. After it is the most expensive World Cup of all time, expectations are very high regarding the stadiums. And surely they won’t disappoint anyone thanks to their amazing looks, facilities and huge capacities. Let’s find below all the important information about the stadiums of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Eight different stadiums will host the 64 matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup between 20 November and 18 December in Qatar. The first World Cup organized in the Middle East received lots of criticism and judgment. Some of them mentioned the circumstances of the stadium buildings, and the difficult conditions migrant workers had to live during the construction. Their achievement is really extraordinary after all stadiums except the Khalifa International Stadium have been built in the last few years. The government denied all the allegations and everyone is focusing on the tournament now. Let’s do the same and check out the venues of this historic tournament.

Lusail Iconic Stadium: One of the Stunning New Stadiums of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The brand new Lusail Iconic Stadium has the biggest capacity of 80,000, located in Lusail City, only 20km from Doha. The stadium has a unique design resembling the hand-crafted bowls used in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Its golden exterior is stunning and makes it a really amazing building. The British firm Foster + Partners and global firm Populous designed and built it between 2017 and 2021. The stadium will use solar power and has a zero carbon footprint like all other stadiums of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It will host ten matches including the Argentine vs Mexico and Portugal vs Uruguay group games. Besides the final on the 18th of December.

Al Bayt Stadium

The second-biggest stadium in the World Cup with its 60,000 capacity is the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 35km north of Doha. It will host the opening match on the 20th of November when Qatar play against Ecuador in their first-ever World Cup game. This stadium has a special tent structure that represents the tents used by the country’s nomadic people. It's called bayt al sha’ar which also appears in the name of the stadium. The upper tier of the stadium will be removed after the World Cup, leaving a more-sustainable capacity of 32,000. Fans can follow games like Spain vs Germany here along with one of the semi-finals. Online sportsbooks in Spain mention both teams among the top favorites who can feature in that game.

Khalifa International Stadium

The only stadium that was already built before Qatar won the right to host the World Cup was the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan. It has also gone through a refurbishment in 2005 as it hosted the 2006 Asian Games. Now the stadium which is a part of the Doha Sports City complex has a capacity of 40,000. It’s the home of the Qatar national football team, but it has also hosted the 2019 World Athletics Championship. And the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup where Liverpool won against Flamengo to become the champion. Visitors can also find the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum in the area. This stadium will host the third-place match along with seven further games.

Education City and Ahmad bin Ali Stadiums

There are two more stadiums in Al Rayyan, both with a capacity of 40,000. The Education City Stadium is located in the middle of a campus area, which is the home of several top universities. Following the World Cup, it will retain 25,000 seats that will be used by university athletic teams. The stadium has a shape of a diamond that also sparkles as the sun moves across the sky. While the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is located on the edge of the desert, in the area of Umm Al Afaei. Its external facade also represents the sand dunes but the local fauna and flora can also be seen in the geometric patterns. This stadium is also the home of the local football club, Al Rayyan SC with a capacity of 20,000 after the World Cup.

The Stadiums in Doha: Stadium 974 and Al Thumama Stadium

The special Stadium 974 was built from 974 shipping containers that will be reused following the tournament. A waterfront development and a business hub will occupy the place and give a new meaning to the stadium building. The name of the stadium also refers to the international dialing code of Qatar (974). Fans across seven matches including France vs Denmark group game can enjoy the amazing view and the fresh air of the Gulf Coast. Gahfiya, a traditional cap worn by men and boys in the Arab world inspired the Al Thumama Stadium. Green areas surround the white interior, while the stadium has a capacity of 40,000. (reduced to 20,000 after the World Cup.)

Al Janoub Stadium

Probably the last stadium, the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah has the most futuristic outlook. Its design reflects the wind-filled sails of the country’s traditional boats and makes a tribute to the area’s fishing history. It has a capacity of 40,000 but i they will reduce it following the tournament. And some of its seats will be donated to other sporting events. But the stadium will be still a great home for the Al Wakrah SC in the future. If you want to know more about the World Cup, just read our ultimate World Cup betting guide here. And to make a bet on one of the games, visit one of the online gambling sites in Spain.