Qatar stadiums that will host 2022 World Cup 

This year’s football world cup is already around the corner. It will be the first tournament of this scale to be played in Qatar, a peninsular Arab country whose terrain comprises arid desert and a long Persian (Arab) Gulf shoreline of beaches and dunes.

Known for its state-of-the-art skyscrapers and other ultramodern architecture inspired by ancient Islamic designs-are expected to use the 2022 global football showpiece event to further market their country as a great tourist destination.

The climate has forced the event to be moved to autumn-November 20 to December 18, 2022. Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) worked with Qatar University Professor Dr. Saud Abdulaziz Abdul Ghani to engineer an air conditioned systems for each stadium using personal cooling units under every seat as well as specific points around the stadiums.The matches will take place in eight arenas in five Cities to mark the occasion.

The championship title will be defended by the French who won it in Russia in 2018 for the second time. France won the world cup for the first time in 1998 when they hosted it. It is not yet clear whether the 20-year dominance of Europe will be challenged, this time.

Peace Lawrence Ayesigwa and Agencies, takes you on a tour to Qatar’s Stadiums that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

A 40,000 capacity seater stadium also known as Al-Rayyan stadium, is situated in Qatar’s second largest City of Al Rayyan. It is hard to imagine a better place for the first time in the desert.

Due to its location and the surrounding scenery, the venue is sometimes referred to as “the gateway to the desert”. And the fans are expected to enter into the football world through these gates.

The arena is covered with interactive screens. The translucent woven metal curtain, arranged in patterns inspired by Qatari Culture rounds the arena. It is expected to host seven world cup matches.

The Al-Bayt Stadium

This has acapacity of 63,000 people and it is the second biggest stadium in the country and indeed the tent-like structure towers over the surrounding landscape.

Dar Al Handasah, a Lebanese Construction Company contracted to develop the facility got inspiration from the traditional tents of the nomadic Bedouin people of Qatar.

Known locally as Bayt al sha-ar tents, the name was also given to the stadium. It is located about 35km away from Qatar’s capital Doha. The stadium will host 8 games including the opening match-Qatar facing Ecuador.

The Al Janoub stadium

With a capacity of 40,000 people inspired by Traditional Dhow boats used by pearl divers on the Persian Gulf, it is a beautiful nod to seafaring history of Al Wakrah the city where the facility is located.

It features a retractable roof and complex cooling system capable of reducing the inner temperature to as low as 18 degrees centigrade.

The stadium has got a sports complex with swimming pools, spas, a shopping centre, schools and wedding halls, additional sports facilities, and restaurants planned nearby.The stadium will be a host of seven world cup games.

Al Thumama Stadium

It has a capacity of 40,000 people and was named after a native tree. Its design is based on a traditional ghafiya, a woven hat popular amongst Arabic men. Indeed it is an unusual design choice for a football stadium.

Located in Al Thumama, a district of Doha, the stadium is just 12 kilometres south of the city centre. The stadium is due to host eight games including a quarter final.

The education city stadium

Made to accommodate 40,000 spectators, located in the education city 7 kilometres south of Doha is nicknamed “the Diamond in the Desert” with 20 percent of the building material coming from green sources.

The education city stadium is surrounded by eight international universities and has already hosted some international tournaments including the 2020 FIFA club world cup and five matches during the FIFA Arab cup 2021.

The stadium will feature eight world cup matches including a quarter-final.

The Khalifa International Stadium

This is Qatar’s premier stadium rightfully known as the National stadium is located in Doha’s sports city and Named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani the former premier of Qatar.

The stadium was first opened in 1976 with a capacity of 20,000. With the 2006 Asian games, the capacity was increased to 40,000 seats.

The Khalifa international stadium will be a host of eight world cup matches including a third place play-off match.

The Lusail stadium

Accommodating 80,000 people, the stadium is located 23 kilometres north of Doha and will be the centre point for the new Lusail city.

Contracted by the world- famous British architects Foster + Partners. The iconic design was inspired by the traditional fanar lantern; embellished by hand-crafted Arab bowls and vessels that reflect the heritage and culture of Qatar. 

The largest stadium of the land will be the flagship stadium hosting ten world cup matches including the final on 18 December 2022.

Stadium 974

Made for 40,000 people, it was constructed entirely from shipping containers and modular steel.

It is the first fully demountable (makeshift) covered football stadium in FIFA world cup football stadiums’ history. This unique venue pays tribute to Qatar’s long-standing tradition of worldwide trade and seafaring.

Not only is 974 the international dialing code for Qatar, but it is also the exact number of shipping containers used in construction.

Situated in the portside area and in sight of Doha’s coastal cityscape, fans at Stadium 974 will feel the cool breeze as it rolls in from the Arabian Gulf. 

The stadium is due to host seven matches of the FIFA world cup 2022 up to the last 16 (knockout stage).

World Cup group stage draw

Group A Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, and Netherlands.

Group B England, Iran, USA and Wales.

Group C Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland.

Group D France, Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.

GROUP E Spain, Costa Rica, Germany and Japan.

Group F Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

Group G Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

Group H Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.