The 2022 Qatar World Cup is only a year away and will be held in winter to cope with the hot temperature during the summer. The host nation is trying to extract every ounce of profit from the event. The Qatar World Cup is valued at £5.3 billion.
The tournament will start on 21st November 2022 and the final will be played on 18th December 2022.
Qatar has built some of the most beautiful stadiums for hosting the World Cup 2022. However, the tournament has been criticised due to the exploitation of the stadium workers. The immigrant workers have been denied payments, and have been asked to clear out before August of 2022.
Here we take a look at the 8 stadiums which will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament:
1. Lusail Iconic Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
The Lusail Iconic Stadium is the biggest stadium in Qatar and will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The stadium will be unveiled on 22nd November 2021, it will subsequently host 10 games including the final. Lusaill Stadium will host the final match of the tournament.
2. Al Bayt Stadium
Capacity: 60,000
Al-Bayt Stadium is a football stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, intended to be used for matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is the second biggest stadium in Qatar. In January 2020, the stadium received sustainability certificates of green design, construction management and energy efficiency. The stadium will host 9 matches in total including the semi-final.
3. Education City Stadium
Capacity: 45,350
The Education City Stadium has been given the nickname “Diamond in the Desert”. With 20 percent of its building materials identified as green, the stadium is among the world’s most environmentally sustainable stadiums. It will host the tournament till the quarter-final stage.
4. Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Capacity: 44,740
Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, popularly known as the Al-Rayyan Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, which is home to Al-Rayyan Sports Club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club. The stadium was built in 2003 and had a seating capacity of 21,282. However, it was demolished in 2015 and the new Al Rayyan Stadium was built. It will host group stage matches and one round of 16 matches.
5. Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is scheduled to host matches up to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup. It will be built according to a modular design, using recycled shipping containers. However, it is set to be dismantled after the 2022 World Cup, making it the first-ever temporary world cup stadium.
6. Al Thumama Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
The architectural design of the Al Thumama Stadium takes its inspiration from the traditional taqiyah hat, a traditional cap that is worn by men and boys across the Middle East. It will Al Thumama host matches until the quarter-final stage of the 2022 World Cup.
7. Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Khalifa International Stadium will host a range of matches, including the third-place play-off of the 2022 World Cup. It is named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s former Emir. The stadium is also the first completed venue that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
8. Al Janoub Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Al Janoub Stadium features a curvilinear postmodernist and neo-futurist design. The appearance of the roof was inspired by the sails of traditional Dhow boats, used by pearl divers from the region, weaving through currents of the Persian Gulf. It will be used until the round of 16 stage of the tournament.
Read: Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022: What we can expect from the tournament?
