World Cup Stadiums Qatar

The 2022 Fifa World Cup in the host country Qatar, is under a year away and stadiums are rising from the ground in time for the tournament.

With Euro 2020 is still fresh in our minds after it was postponed to the summer of 2021, we're thrilled thinking about the next major tournament – and it will be a Christmas tournament for the first time ever.

Games will be held from November until the final match held on the 18th of December 2022 – one week before Christmas Day.

As we are still waiting for some of the qualification stages to be completed - which won't be until late spring in 2022, we will take a look each of the eight stadiums that are to host matches of the fifa world cup 2022.

What are Qatar 2022 World Cup Stadiums?

Lusail Stadium

Stadium's Capacity: 80,000 Opened: November 2021 Location: Lusail City Club: None

The largest and most prominent of the world cup stadiums, that will boast the headline acts, and be at the very heart of it all. The Lusail Iconic Stadium will host the 2022 World Cup final.

Lusail Stadium is getting built in the new Lusail City development on the northern edge of Doha on the Persian Gulf coast, roughly 15 kilometres north from central Doha.

Lusail City will be a mixed development of residences, commerce, and retail in which 200,000 inhabitants are expected to live.

Once the world cup has concluded, Lusail stadium with be transformed into a community hub - that will include schools, shops, cafes, sporting facilities and health clinic. Some of the 80,000 seats will be donated to football development projects.

Travel recommendations:

A new metro light rail line will connect the stadium with central Doha.

Al Bayt Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 60,000 Opened: November 2021 Location: Al Khor City Club: Al Khor SC

The opening game of the FIFA World Cup will be held at Al Bayt Stadium, including a dazzling opening ceremony, that will be sure to set the tone for the whole 2022 world cup.

The design of the Al Bayt stadium is meant to resemble the inside of a Bedouin tent, coloured red, white, and black. These tents, the bayt al sha’ar, were originally used by nomadic people in Qatar and the Gulf region. Which inspired the name for the stadium to maintain the lasting legacy of the nomadic Qatari culture.

Al Bayt Stadium will have a capacity of roughly 60,000 seats divided over three tiers. After the World Cup, the top tier will be removed again, reducing capacity to 32,000 seats.

FIFA announced that the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finals will be held in the venue, Al Bayt stadium. The Al Bayt Stadium is built on the south-eastern edge of the small city of Al Khor, which is located on the Persion Gulf roughly 35 kilometres north of Doha.

The Al Bayt stadium is about 4 kilometres from central Al Khor. This world cup stadium will form part of a new development including a mall, park, and hospital.

After the tournament, the stadium will reach even more people around the globe in a Qatari way. Like a true nomad's tent, it is portable. The upper tier of modular design seating will be removed following the FIFA World Cup 2022 and given to developing countries that need sporting infrastructure – a lasting reminder of Qatar's generous spirit.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – The nearest station is Lusail (Red line) where shuttle services to/ from the stadium will be in operation. The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Lusail Metro station will be at 2am.

Al Janoub Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: May 2019 Location: Al Wakrah Club: Al Wakrah SC

The Al Janoub stadium was given a deserving opening match, the Amir Cup 2019 final, this provided a snippet of the experience fans will enjoy for the 2022 World Cup.

The city of Al Wakrah is one of the oldest inhabited areas of Qatar. The Stadium was designed with the intention to represent the history of the city, as its based of the traditional hull of the dhow pearl fishing boats, Which boasts the beauty of Qatar and its 2022 world cup lasting laegacy.

After the FIFA World Cup 2022 final has been concluded, Al Janoub stadium will become a new centre for sport and entertainment in southern Qatar. The football stadium will then reduce its capacity to 20,000, and the other 20,000 seats, will be donated to developing football projects.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – the nearest station is Al Wakra (Red line), where Metro shuttle services to/ from the stadium will be in operation. The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Al Janoub Metro station will be at 2am. Fans changing between the Red and Green line to get to/ from the stadium can do so at Al Bidda station.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: December 2020 Location: Al Rayyan Club: Al Rayyan SC

An exciting new dawn has fallen onto Ahmid Bin Ali Stadium, also known as Al Rayyan Stadium, with its new construction that replaced the old stadium. The deeply invested community that support Al Rayyan SC, are excited to welcome football fans for FIFA 2022 World Cup. The stadium will host matches all the way through to the quarter finals stage, which will give fans plenty time to dive into the deep and rich Qatari culture of city Al Rayyan.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy built the stadium using environmentally friendly materials and practices, which sticks to the values Al Rayyan city has when it comes to preserving nature.

Once Qatar 2022 final matches has come to a close, the Ahmid Bin Al stadium (Al Rayyan stadium) will reduce its capacity to 21,000 and will donate the removed seats to football developing nations.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – the nearest Metro station is Al Riffa (Green line), a short walk from the stadium (10 minutes). The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Al Riffa Metro station will be at 2:15am. Fans changing between the Red and Green line to get to/ from the stadium can do so at Al Bidda station. Please note access to the Metro via the Mall of Qatar will be closed for at least 1 hour after the final whistle.

Khalifa International Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: May 2017 Location: Doha Club: None

Originally the Khalifa International stadium was opened in 1976 as the flagship stadium for the Gulf Cup in Qatar. This makes this oldest of the eight football stadiums to host matches for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Over the years it has become a worthy symbol for the Middle East, upholding sporting excellence in all its forms.

Khalifa International Stadium has been the standard event venue of the Qatar national team and has furthermore occasionally hosted international friendlies of other teams such as Argentina and Brazil.

It's Location will play a large role in the football tournament, with the unique geography and advanced integrated transport systems - will make it the best connected football tournament in the world.

Travel recommendations:

Khalifa International Stadium is located in the west of Doha at roughly 10 kilometres from central Doha (e.g. the Souq Waqif and Corniche), and 18 kilometres from The Pearl development further north.The stadium can be reached by metro. Station Sports City is one the newly opened Gold line that runs through central Doha.

Education City Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: June 2020 Location: Doha Club: None

Education City stadium area is littered with top Universities, where students are encouraged to be their best. The whole area is home to the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development - that strives to make FIFA World Cup a catalyst for social and human development.

Education City stadium most direct contribution to international development, will be once it has finished its host matches to the quarter final stage of the football tournament. It will then donate 20,000 seats to developing countries to builld stadiums, contributing to the legacy of Qatar 2022.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – the nearest station is Education City (Green line), a short walk from the stadium (10 minutes). The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Education City Metro station will be at 2:15am. Fans changing between the Red and Green line to get to/ from the stadium can do so at Al Bidda station.

Stadium 974 (Ras Abu Aboud Stadium)

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: November 2021 Location: Doha Club: None

Stadium 974 innovative design is influenced by Qatar's worldwide trade and seafairing. 974 stands for the international dialling code for Qatar, as well as the exact amount of shipping containers used in the build. The Ras abu aboud stadium is the first fully demountable tournament venue in the history of built football stadiums.

Following the football tournament conclusion, the venue will make way for waterfront development for local people to enjoy. As with the other built stadiums, many items of the build will be donated to projects far and wide.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – the nearest Metro station is Ras Bu Abboud (Gold line), a short walk from the stadium (10 minutes). The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Ras Bu Abboud Metrio station will be at 2:15am. Fans changing between the Red, Green and Gold line to get to/ from the stadium can do so at Msheireb station.

Al Thumama Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 Opened: October 2021 Location: Doha Club: None

The Al Thumama stadium’s bold, circular form reflects the gahfiya – a traditional woven cap worn by men and boys all across the Middle East for centuries. The football stadium symbolising Qatar's youth and how it has grown into major presence in the global sporting world.

Upon the tournaments completion, the stadium will reduce its capacity, like the other eight stadiums, and the excess seats will be used for future football and sporting events. Furthermore, it will be transformed for sporting facilities and hospitality branches dedicated towards the local community.

Travel recommendations:

Doha Metro – the nearest Metro station is Free Zone (Red line) where shuttle services to/ from the stadium will be in operation. The Metro will run additional services throughout the Tournament, 6am to 3am (Saturday to Thursday) and 9am to 3am (Friday) to cover the last matches of the day. The last Metro to depart Free Zone Metro station will be at 2am. Fans changing between the Red and Green line to get to/ from the stadium can do so at Al Bidda station. Metro shuttle operations between Free Zone Metro station and Al Thumama Stadium.

Stick with Tournamentfootball.co.uk to keep up to date with all the upcoming World Cup 2022 news, including further insight into the Qualifications, Schedule and the draw. As well as all things Fantasy Football for the forthcoming event.