FIFA World Cup 2022 Stadiums: 8 venues that will be used for the prestigious yet controversial Qatar tournament- The 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup is 372 days away. It starts on November 21 and the finals will be played on December 18, 2022. The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are still going on and France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, and Denmark are the first few teams to have qualified for the prestigious tournament.
The football season will be halted to accommodate the World Cup, which is why it has been squeezed into just 28 days.
For the Premier League, it means that the season resume on December 26 for the traditional Boxing Day round of fixtures. The campaign will also begin slightly earlier, with matches to begin on August 6.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Controversy:
In February, The Guardian reported on the frightful employment of migrant workers in Qatar, with 6,500 believed to have died since the country was awarded the World Cup 10 years ago, and at least 37 of those linked to the building of the stadiums.
Qatar’s repulsive human rights report has indicated many protests in the decade since they were granted the tournament, which will feature eight stadiums across five cities for the 28-day event.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Stadiums: 8 venues that will be used for the prestigious yet controversial Qatar tournament
Lusail Iconic Stadium – Capacity: 80,000
Al Bayt Stadium – Capacity: 60,000
The Al Bayt Stadium will get the tournament started on November 21 when Qatar will play one of their group opponents.
The stadium will host 9 matches in total and is the other chosen venue for the semi-final.
Like many of the other stadiums, the capacity is reported to be reduced to 32,000 after the World Cup.
Education City Stadium – Capacity: 45,350
Known as the ‘Diamond in the Desert’, the stadium’s facade features triangles, which form a diamond-like pattern said to change colour with the sun’s movement.
It is in the heart of Qatar’s education and research hub. The Education City will host till the quarter-final stage.
Education City is located in Al Rayyan.
Al Rayyan Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
This stadium was opened in 2003 but was demolished in 2015 to construct a new stadium.
It was was inaugurated on December 18, 2020 to mark two years until the World Cup final and was used as one of the two venues for the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.
The stadium is home to Al-Rayyan Sports Club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club, who compete in the first and second division respectively. Al Rayyan will host group stage matches and one round of 16 contest.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Ras Abu Aboud’s structure is quirkily centred around modified shipping containers. It is the first-ever makeshift stadium.
It is the first of three stadiums located within Qatar’s capital.
Like the Al-Rayyan Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud will also be used up until the round of 16.
Al Thumama Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
The Al Thumama stadium will host matches up until the quarter-final stage. It resembles the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional cap worn by people in Qatar.
The stadium takes its name from the Al Thumama tree, which is commonly found in the region.
Al Thumama will host matches until the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.
Khalifa International Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
The Khalifa International Stadium was the first venue to be ready for the tournament.
It was revamped and inaugurated in 2017. The stadium will host a range of matches, including the third-place play-off.
Also known as National Stadium, it has played host to the Qatar national teams games since 1975.
Al Janoub Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Al-Janoub Stadium will be used up until the round of 16 stage. It is located in the southern city of Al Wakrah.
Al Wakrah is known for its pearl diving and fishing history, and the traditional boats used by locals to carry out these pursuits are behind the stadium’s design.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Stadiums: 8 venues that will be used for the prestigious yet controversial Qatar tournament
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