The Incredible Stadiums for the Qatar 2022 World Cup

The majority of the stadiums for the Qatar 2022 World Cup have been built at lightening speed. This to ensure that they're ready for the most important date on the soccer calendar.

There’s still a while to go before the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and it’s one of the most controversial in history for various reasons. However, while we wait for this exciting competition to come around, let’s have a look at the incredible stadiums where the matches will be played.

Stadiums for the Qatar 2022 World Cup

The 22nd soccer World Cup will take place in Qatar between November 21 and December 18, 2022. The organizers chose these dates instead of the usual June and July dates because of the scorching temperatures in the Middle East.

It’ll be the first time that the World Cup has been played in an Arab country or in western Asia. It’ll also be the shortest competition, lasting just 28 days instead of 32. So far, there are eight stadiums on the list for the competition in five Qatari cities.

1. Lusail Iconic Stadium

This stadium is in the city of Lusail and is still under construction, however, it’s going to be the largest in the country, with a total capacity of 94,500. It’ll host many matches during the competition, but most importantly, it’s the stadium for the final.

The Lusail Iconic Stadium will have a roof covered in solar panels, which will also provide electricity to the surrounding area. The center of the roof can open or close depending on the weather conditions. It’ll also have air conditioning and the six bridges will provide access over the water surrounding the stadium.

2. Qatar 2022 World Cup: Al Thumama Stadium

This stadium on the outskirts of Doha, the Qatari capital, is also under construction. It’s going to have a capacity of 69,000 and you’ll be able to get there using the subway. Its nickname is the ‘Gahfiya’ because of its Arab headdress shape.

3. Al Bayt Stadium

This stadium is already open and is in the city of Jor. It has a capacity for 60,000 people and took four years to build on the site of the old Al Khor Stadium. Its asymmetrical shape represents a large Bedouin tent and you can reach it from Doha using the subway.

4. Khalifa International Stadium

This multipurpose stadium is the venue for the Qatari national team matches. It was also used for the 2006 Asian Games and the World Athletics Championships in 2019. For the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Khalifa stadium will host matches in the group stage, the last 16 round, quarter-finals, and one of the semi-finals.

It has capacity for 50,000 spectators, and it was originally founded in 1976, rebuilt in 2014, and remodeled in 2017.

5. Qatar 2022 World Cup: Ras Abu Aboud Stadium

This stadium is located in the Ad Dawhah Municipality, in Doha. The stadium is still under construction, and it’ll have the capacity for almost 45,000 spectators. However, it’s the only one to be dismantled after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The parts will be donated to underdeveloped countries.

6. Education City Stadium

The Qatar Foundation’s Education City Stadium is located in the city of Al Rayyan and has an irregular diamond shape. Construction started in 2016 and is expected to be completed in early 2020.

The capacity of the Education City Stadium will be 45,000. However, after the world cup, it’ll only have a capacity of 25,000 and will be home to a local soccer team.

7. Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

Just like the previous one, this stadium is in Al Rayyan and doesn’t just host soccer games. It also hosted the 2006 Asian Games and the Asian Football Cup.

Although it was built in 2003, it was demolished in May 2015 and its remodeling will be completed before the end of 2019. It has a capacity of just over 44,000 (previously, just half that).

8. Al Janoub Stadium

The old Al Wakrah Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Al Wakrah, five minutes from the new International Airport. It has a soccer field, a running track, and is also the home of the local club. It hosted soccer at the 2006 Asian Games.

The Qatar 2022 World Cup will host matches in the group stages and the last 16. It’s been remodeled to improve its overall condition and it’s expected to later become a large sports complex with an aquatic center.

The most striking thing about these stadiums is that only the Khalifa International was finished when Qatar won its bid to host the World Cup. And yet, it’s still being remodeled for the competitions. There’s definitely a fascinating spectacle on its way!