The new stadiums for the Qatar World Cup are ready and only waiting for November to arrive. It took four and a half years of preparation so that the country could host the 32 teams that will compete in 8 sports stadiums.
Each stadium has high-efficiency technology to control the temperature, always high in this region of the Middle East. In addition, the stands are equipped with solar-powered cooling technology to keep everything at 27°C.
Learn a little about each of the 8 stadiums in the Qatar Cup:
Al-Thumama Stadium
- City: Doha
- Capacity: 40,000 people
- Matches Hosted: Senegal vs. the Netherlands (November 21), Spain vs. Costa Rica (November 23), Qatar vs. Senegal (November 25), Belgium vs. Morocco (November 27), Iran vs. the United States (November 29), Canada vs. Morocco (December 1), Round of 16 1D vs. 2C (December 4), Round of 8 55 vs.56
Located 12 kilometers south of Doha (the country’s capital), the Al Thumama stadium mixes Arab culture through its façade. It is inspired by the fabric patterns of a Gahfiya, a traditional headdress worn by Muslim men in the Arab region. In addition to its design, the area around the project explores the importance of ecological and contextual architecture. It seeks four-star certification from the Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for both design and construction.
Al Janoub Stadium
- City: Al-Wakrah
- Capacity: 40,000 people
- Matches Hosted: France vs. Australia (November 22), Switzerland vs. Cameroon (November 24), Tunisia vs. Australia (November 26), Cameroon vs. Serbia (November 28), Australia vs. Denmark (November 30), Ghana vs. Uruguay (December 2), Round of 16 1E vs. 2F (Dec. 5)
Al Janoub Stadium (formerly known as Al Wakrah Stadium) is one of the Qatar Cup Stadiums and was built in Al Wakrah, one of the oldest areas to be inhabited in the south of Doha. It was set in a culturally rich location with a deep architectural heritage and inspired by the city’s history with its pearl divers, fishermen, and sailing dhow boats.
Al-Bayt Stadium
- City: Al-Khor
- Capacity: 60,000 people
- Matches Hosted: Qatar vs. Ecuador (November 21), Morocco vs. Croatia (November 23), England vs. USA (November 25), Spain vs. Germany (November 27), Netherlands vs. Qatar (November 29), Costa Rica vs. Germany (December 1), Round of 16 1B vs. 2A (December 4), Round of 8 51 vs. 52 (December 10), Semifinal 59 vs. 60 (December 14).
Inspired by traditional nomadic tents, the 60,000-seat stadium is expected to host the opening match of the 2022 World Cup. It will host matches until the semifinal phase. Located in Al Khor, a city famous for pearl diving and fishing, the stadium pays homage to Qatar’s past and present, highlighting the city’s culture, traditions, and history.
Al-Rayyan (Ahamad Bin Ali) Stadium
- City: Al-Rayyan
- Capacity: 40,740 people
- Matches Hosted: United States vs. Wales (November 21), Belgium vs. Canada (November 23), Wales vs. Iran (November 25), Japan vs. Costa Rica (November 27), Wales vs. England (November 29), Croatia vs. Belgium (December 1).
Home to one of Qatar’s most celebrated teams, in the city of Al Rayyan, the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium celebrates the unity of its community by incorporating symbols of Qatari traditions and culture. One of the key features of the design is the wavy façade. It is composed of patterns that characterize different aspects of the country, such as “the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international business.
Education City Stadium
- City: Al-Rayyan
- Capacity: 45,350 people
- Matches Hosted: Denmark vs. Tunisia (November 22), Uruguay vs. South Korea (November 24), Poland vs. Saudi Arabia (November 26), South Korea vs. Ghana (November 28), Tunisia vs. France (November 30), South Korea vs. Portugal (December 2), Round of 16 1F vs. 2E (December 6), Round of 8 53 vs.54 (December 9).
Situated in a vibrant center of knowledge and innovation, the Education City stadium is surrounded by academic facilities and sports organizations. Due to its particular location in Education City, the structure was designed with a strong focus on accessibility. During construction, excavators discovered rocks dating back 20 to 30 million years. This forced them to dig down another 17 meters so that the field is at sea level, where temperatures are cooler.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium (Stadium 974)
- City: Doha
- Capacity: 40,000 people
- Matches it will host: Mexico vs.Poland (November 22), Portugal vs. Ghana (November 24), France vs. Denmark (November 26), Brazil vs. Switzerland (November 28), Poland vs. Argentina (November 30), Serbia vs. Switzerland (December 2), Round of 16 1G vs. 2H
Considered one of the most innovative designs among all 8 structures, Stadium 974, formerly known as Ras Abou Aboud, is inspired by Qatar’s international and maritime trade. The number 974 is highly significant to the design. This is because it is the country’s international phone code, as well as the number of containers used in the construction.
Khalifa International Stadium
- City: Doha
- Capacity: 50,000 people
- Hosted games: England vs. Iran (November 21), Germany vs. Japan (November 23), Netherlands vs. Ecuador (November 25), Croatia vs. Canada (November 27), Ecuador vs. Senegal (November 29), Japan vs. Spain (December 1), Round of 16 1A vs. 2B (December 3), third place match (December 17).
Built in 1976 in Al Rayyan, Khalifa International Stadium has been one of Qatar’s most notable World Cup stadiums for a long time. It has hosted the Asian Games, the Arabian Gulf Cup, and the AFC Asian Cup and other events. For the World Cup, the stadium has been expanded to accommodate 40,000 fans. It has also been equipped with cooling technology that will allow the players to play in a comfortable environment.
Lusail Stadium
- City: Lusail
- Capacity: 86,250 people
- Matches it will host: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia (November 22), Brazil vs. Serbia (November 24), Argentina vs. Mexico (November 26), Portugal vs. Uruguay (November 28), Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (November 30), Cameroon vs. Brazil (December 2), Round of 16 1H vs. 2G (December 6), Round of 8 49 vs. 50 (December 9), Semifinal 57 vs. 58 (December 13), Final (December 18).
With a capacity of 80,000, Lusail Stadium is the largest of the 8 venues, and will host the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The design is inspired by the play of light and shadow seen in the lanterns. The structure format and the façade repeat the themes of artwork and furniture found throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds since their earliest civilizations.
