The 2022 World Cup starts on the 21st of November in Qatar. For this 22nd edition, the governing body has decided to organise the event in 8 stadiums in 5 cities. Here we present the 8 FIFA World Cup stadiums selected.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums
For this 22nd edition, FIFA has chosen to make a tournament on a human scale. Indeed, Qatar is a small country with a population of around 2.4 million and an area of just over 11,000 km² (the equivalent of two French regions).
The World Cup stadiums are therefore very close to each other for a more pleasant and comfortable spectator experience, especially in terms of travel time between the stadiums. Only 70 km separate the northernmost and southernmost stadiums. Here is the list of selected World Cup stadiums.
- 🇶🇦 Lusail Stadium – Lusail
- 🇶🇦 Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor
- 🇶🇦 Khalifa International Stadium – Al Waab
- 🇶🇦 Education City Stadium – Ar Rayyan
- 🇶🇦 Ahmed bin Ali Stadium – Ar Rayyan
- 🇶🇦 Al Thumama Stadium – Doha
- 🇶🇦 Stadium 974 – Doha
- 🇶🇦 Al Janoub Stadium – Al Janoub
🏟 Lusail Stadium – Lusail
The Lusail Stadium will be the main stadium for this World Cup and will host 10 games including the final. After the tournament, its capacity will be reduced by half.
The Lusail Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 80,000
- Construction start date: April 2017
- Architects: Foster + Partners
- Cost: 662 million dollars
- Home to: Qatar National Team
Fixtures to be hosted
Among the 10 games to be played at the Lusail stadium, several fixtures in groups C, G and H are exciting, including Argentina vs Mexico, Portugal vs Uruguay and Cameroon vs Brazil.
- Tuesday 22 November at 11am: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia
- Thursday 24 November at 8am: Brazil vs Serbia
- Saturday 26 Novembre at 8pm: Argentina vs Mexico
- Monday 28 November at 8pm: Portugal vs Uruguay
- Wednesday 30 November at 8pm: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico
- Friday 2 December at 8pm: Cameroon vs Brazil
- Tuesday 6 December at 8pm: Round of 16: 1st Group H vs 2nd Group G
- Friday 9 December at 8pm: Quarter-final: Winner R16-2 vs Winner R16-1
- Tuesday 13 December at 8pm: Semi-final: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF1
- Sunday 18 December at 4pm: World Cup Final
🏟 Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor
The second largest stadium in the tournament, the Al Bayt Stadium is recognisable by its look. The architects wanted to pay tribute to the nomadic people by taking inspiration from their tents.
The Al Bayt Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 60,000
- Inauguration date: 11 February 2020
- Architect: Webuild S.p.A. and Cimolai
- Home to: Al Khor SC & Qatar National Team
Fixtures to be hosted
The game between Spain and Germany will undoubtedly be the main attraction in Al Khor. The other clash between the English and their American cousins will be the other attraction of the venue, which will also host the teams from groups A, B, E and F.
- Monday 21 November at 5pm: Qatar vs Ecuador
- Wednesday 23 November at 11am: Morocco vs Croatia
- Friday 25 November at 8pm: England vs USA
- Sunday 27 November at 8pm: Spain vs Germany
- Tuesday 29 November at 4pm: Netherlands vs Qatar
- Thursday 1 December at 8pm: Costa Rica vs Germany
- Sunday 4 December at 8pm: Round of 16: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A
- Saturday 10 December at 8pm: Quarter-final: Winner R16-3 vs Winner R16-4
- Wednesday 14 December at 8pm: Semi-final: Winner QF4 vs Winner QF3
🏟Khalifa International Stadium – Al Waab
A multi-disciplinary facility, named after the current Emir. Built-in 1976, it is the oldest stadium in the 2022 edition.
The Khalifa International Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 45,416
- Inaugurated year: 1976
- Architect: Dar Al-Handasah
- Home to: Qatar National Team
Fixtures to be hosted
There will be few big games in this stadium for Groups A, B, E and F. However, it is worth noting that the small final will be held here, a consolation for the unfortunate semi-finalists. This is an opportunity to rotate the team and give the players on the bench a chance.
- Monday 21 November at 2pm: England vs Iran
- Wednesday 23 November at 2pm: Germany vsJapan
- Friday 25 November at 5pm: Netherlands vs Ecuador
- Sunday 27 November at 5pm: Croatia vs Canada
- Tuesday 29 November at 4pm: Ecuador vs Senegal
- Thursday 1 December at 8pm: Japan vs Spain
- Saturday 3 December at 4pm: Round of 16: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B
- Saturday 17 December at 4pm: Small final: Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2
🏟Education City Stadium – Ar Rayyan
Located in a university area, the stadium built in 2016 will be used by university teams. Its capacity will also be reduced to 25,000 after the World Cup.
The Education City Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 45,350
- Inaugurated date: February 2020
- Architect: Joannou & Paraskevaides
- Home to: University
Fixtures to be hosted
This stadium will host the games from Groups C, D and H. There will be no special fixtures. However, the defending champions, France, will play Tunisia. The stadium will also host a round of 16 and a quarter-final.
- Tuesday 22 November at 2pm: Denmark vs Tunisia
- Thursday 24 November at 2pm: Uruguay vs South Korea
- Saturday 26 November at 2pm: Poland vs Saudi Arabia
- Monday 28 November at 2pm: South Korea vs Ghana
- Wednesday 30 November at 4pm: Tunisia vs France
- Friday 2 December at 4pm: South Korea vs Portugal
- Tuesday 6 December at 4pm: Round of 16: 1st Group F vs 2nd Group E
- Friday 9 December at 4pm: Quarter-final: Winner R16-5 vs Winner R16-6
🏟Ahmed bin Ali Stadium – Ar Rayyan
Rebuilt to replace the previous stadium (built in 2003), this new venue bears the name of the former Emir (1960-1972). It has already hosted four games during the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021.
The Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 44,740
- Inauguration date: 18 December 2020
- Architect: Pattern Design
- Home to: Al Rayyan SC
Fixtures to be hosted
The last match of Group F, Croatia vs Belgium, will be a real show on this pitch. Groups B and E will also visit this stadium.
- Monday 21 November at 8pm: USA vs Wales
- Wednesday 23 November at 8pm: Belgium vs Canada
- Friday 25 November at 11am: Wales vs Iran
- Sunday 27 November at 11am: Japan vs Costa Rica
- Tuesday 29 November at 8pm: Wales vs England
- Thursday 1 December at 4pm: Croatia vs Belgium
- Saturday 3 December at 8pm: Round of 16: 1st Group C vs 2nd Group D
🏟Al Thumama Stadium – Doha
Located just a few minutes from the airport, the architects also plan to build a 50,000 m2 park, which will bring a little vegetation to the desert.
The Al Thumama Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 40,000
- Inauguration date: 22 October 2021
- Architect: Ibrahim M. Jaidah
Fixtures to be hosted
With the change of schedule, the opening match of the 2022 World Cup will be played here. Senegal and the Netherlands will be the first to play on the Qatari pitch. The groups involved are A, B, E and F.
- Monday 21 November at 11am: Senegal vs Netherlands (opening match)
- Wednesday 23 November at 5pm: Spain vs Costa Rica
- Friday 25 November at 2pm: Qatar vs Senegal
- Sunday 27 November at 2pm: Belgium vs Morocco
- Tuesday 29 November at 8pm: Iran vs USA
- Thursday 1 December at 4pm: Canada vs Morocco
- Sunday 4 December at 4pm: Round of 16: 1st Group D vs 2nd Group C
- Saturday 10 December at 4pm: Quarter-final: Winner R16-7 vs Winner R16-8
🏟Stadium 974 – Doha
974 is an unusual name but there is an explanation for that. The stadium was built from 974 shipping containers. Even more surprisingly, it will be dismantled after the tournament. It is the first temporary stadium in the history of the World Cup.
Stadium 974 in numbers
- Capacity: 40,000
- Inauguration date: 30 November 2021
- Architect: Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Fixtures to be hosted
Four groups will be hosted in Stadium 974, namely: C, D, G. France vs Denmark, Brazil vs Switzerland and Poland vs Argentina will be the most anticipated fixtures.
- Tuesday 22 November at 5pm: Mexico vs Poland
- Thursday 24 November at 5pm: Portugal vs Ghana
- Saturday 26 November at 5pm: France vs Denmark
- Monday 28 November at 5pm: Brazil vs Switzerland
- Wednesday 30 November at 8pm: Poland vs Argentina
- Friday 2 December at 8pm: Serbia vs Switzerland
- Monday 5 December at 4pm: Round of 16: 1st Group E vs 2nd Group F
🏟Al Janoub Stadium – Al Janoub
With its retractable roof, it offers a postmodern and neo-futuristic design. The appearance of the roof is a tribute to traditional boats (Dhow). The Al Janoub Stadium was previously known as Al-Wakrah.
The Al Janoub Stadium in numbers
- Capacity: 45,120
- Inauguration date: 16 May 2019
- Architect: Zaha Hadid
- Home to: Al Wakrah Sports Club & Qatar National Team
Fixtures to be hosted
Groups D, G and H will play on this pitch. Note that 3 countries from the African continent will be playing here.
- Tuesday 22 November at 8pm: France vs Australia
- Thursday 24 November at 11am: Switzerland vs Cameroon
- Saturday 26 November at 11am: Tunisia vs Australia
- Monday 28 November at 11am: Cameroon vs Serbia
- Wednesday 30 November at 4pm: Australia vs Denmark
- Friday 2 December at 4pm: Ghana vs Uruguay
Monday 5 December at 8pm: Round of 16: 1st Group G vs 2nd Group H
