An almighty building project is currently underway across Qatar as the nation gears up to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. A total of 7 new stadiums have been constructed for the tournament while another has undergone extensive renovation. The 8 venues are set to be divided across the nation, with all less than an hour from the capital of Doha.
In a World Cup first, the stadia are set to feature climate-controlling technology to combat the sweltering Qatari heat, which can easily surpass 40ºC. There has been a race against time to have all 8 Qatar World Cup stadiums ready on time for this massive event and football fans across the globe have been keen to learn the details of each arena. The 2022 FIFA World Cup runs from 21 November to 18 December.
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Lusail Iconic Stadium is set to host both the opening game and the final of the 2022 World Cup. The arena will have a capacity of just over 86,000 and was designed by British architects Foster + Partners. With a structure designed to mirror the ancient Arab craft of bowl weaving, the stadium is set to provide a stunning venue for the opening and closing of the tournament.
The arena is located in Lusail City, a new city situated to the north of Doha. Amazingly, this is an entire city that’s being specially constructed for the event. By the time the World Cup kicks off in November 2022, Lusail will be home to a wide range of facilities including marinas, island resorts, luxury shopping and leisure facilities, and much more. Just 15 km north of central Doha, Lusail Iconic Stadium will be served by a direct metro link from the capital, making this an easy stadium to get to.
Al-Bayt Stadium
Al-Bayt Stadium is situated in the city of Al-Khor and is set to be a semi-final host at the 2022 World Cup. The arena features a striking design that reflects the tents used by the Bedouin people, a nomadic group living across the Arab world for centuries.
The 60,000-seater stadium will be set within a wider complex featuring various amenities such as a shopping mall, hospital and more. At 60 km from Doha, this stadium is one of the most difficult to reach for fans, with taxis and buses being the best options to travel here from the capital.
Al-Rayyan Stadium
Situated on the site of the old Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, the Al-Rayyan Stadium has a capacity of over 40,000, which allows it to host matches up to the quarter-finals stage of the Qatar World Cup.
One of Qatar’s most traditional and historic cities, Al-Rayyan sits on the edge of the desert and will allow visitors to the country a glimpse into Qatar’s deep cultural roots. At just a few kilometres from Doha, fans will be able to reach this stadium on a purpose-built metro line.
Al-Thumama Stadium
Located just 12 km from central Doha, the 40,000-seater Al-Thumama Stadium is visually striking and innovatively designed. The interesting design of this arena is inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven cap worn by Arab males.
As with many of the stadiums at the 2022 World Cup, Al-Thumama will cut its capacity in half after the tournament and donate more than 20,000 seats to help promote football and stadia in developing nations. The stadium can be reached on a purpose-built metro line from Doha.
