As we approach the start of the tournament in Qatar on November 20, FIFA+ is recognizing 100 of the most memorable moments in FIFA World Cup history. The late, great Gerd Muller took home more victories in 1974 than only the FIFA World Cup. He was the star performer for his country, and he took home the victory by scoring the game-winning goal in the final. When FIFA asked the Germany star to contrast the 1974 World Cup with the one that came before it, it was expected that he would snigger since he had achieved every football fan’s biggest desire. In no way.
The eight stadiums selected for the 64 matches of the tournament will be played are Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium, and Al Janoub Stadium.
1. Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar (Capacity: 60,000)
Nine games will take place at Al Bayt Stadium throughout the FIFA World Cup, including the opening match, five further group games, and three knockout games. The term “bayt al sha’ar” refers to the tents that traditionally were used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf area. The architecture pays homage to Qatar’s past and present while maintaining an eye on the neighborhood’s future. In addition to having play areas and exercise equipment, Al Bayt Park, which is larger than 30 football fields, also has running, cycling, horseback riding, and camel riding courses.
The area also has multi-sport facilities that are accessible to the general public. In collaboration with the SC and Aspire Zone, the Quodorat Centre, a community place for the preservation of cultural history and intergenerational discourse, launched the opening of its new offices inside the precinct in November 2021. A Nomas Center branch will educate young people about the nation’s cultural legacy by organizing a variety of activities, including horseback riding, under the direction of Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and Sport.
Matches
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will kick off at Al Bayt Stadium, along with a number of other matches, including one semifinal.
- 20 November 2022, Group A: Qatar v Ecuador (1900 local time)
- 23 November 2022, Group F: Morocco v Senegal (1300 local time)
- 25 November 2022, Group B: England v USA (2200 local time)
- 27 November 2022, Group E: Spain v Germany (2200 local time)
- 29 November 2022, Group A: Netherlands v Qatar (1800 local time)
- 1 December 2022, Group E: Costa Rica v Germany (2200 local time)
- 4 December 2022, Round of 16: 1B v 2A (2200 local time)
- 10 December 2022, Quarter-final: W51 v W52 (2200 local time)
- 14 December 2022, Semi-final W59 v W60 (2200 local time)
Opening Match
On November 30, 2021, the stadium was officially opened as part of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021TM opening ceremony.
Both Sustainability and Legacy
The 60,000-seat modular top deck will be taken down after the competition, and the seats will be used to build sports facilities in Qatar and elsewhere. The stadium’s top concourse will be transformed into a variety of amenities after Qatar 2022. A retail center, food court, gym, and multipurpose hall will be built within the stadium structure, and the sky box level will be converted into a five-star hotel. A prestigious sports medicine facility will debut.
The stadium received a five-star certification from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for both its design and construction, as well as a Class A* grade for the building process and a certificate for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio Compliance.
2. Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar (Capacity: 45,416)
During the FIFA World Cup, the Khalifa International stadium will host eight games, including six group games, one Round of 16 knockout game, and the third-place game. Following the renovation, the stadium’s dual arches were preserved, and they are now complimented by a large canopy below, which helps the stadium integrate the new cooling system. The stadium currently has a new exterior, and the extra tier increased the seating capacity by 10,450 (total tournament capacity: 40,000). The new LED lighting setup gives fans an entirely new level of enjoyment.
Matches
- 21 November 2022, Group B: England v Iran (1600 local time)
- 23 November 2022, Group E: Germany v Japan (1600 local time)
- 25 November 2022, Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador (1900 local time)
- 27 November 2022, Group F: Croatia v Canada (1900 local time)
- 29 November 2022, Group A: Ecuador v Senegal (1800 local time)
- 1 December 2022, Group E: Japan v Spain (2200 local time)
- 3 December 2022, Round of 16: 1A v 2B (1800 local time)
- 17 December 2022, 3rd Place (1800 local time)
Opening Contest
The Asian Games, Arabian Gulf Cup, and AFC Asian Cup have all been held at the 1976-built Khalifa International Stadium. The IAAF World Athletics Championships and matches from the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 were held there in 2019. To get it ready for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the stadium received a significant renovation.
How to get there
Sport City Station on the Doha Metro Gold Line provides access to the stadium. The stadium is located in the center of Aspire Zone, Qatar’s hub for world-class athletics and the site of the 2006 Asian Games. The purpose of the precinct is to promote athletic activity.
Aspire Zone includes the Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital, Aspire Park, Hamad Aquatics Center, and Aspire Dome, the largest indoor multifunctional sports arena in the world. Additionally, the Villagio Mall and The Torch Doha Hotel are also close to the stadium.
Legacy and Sustainability
The stadium was the first location for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 202 to get accreditation from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).
3. Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar (Capacity: 40,000)
During the FIFA World Cup, Al Thumama Stadium will host eight games, including two knockout games and six group games. The gahfiya, a customary woven headgear worn by men and boys throughout the Middle East, is represented in the stadium’s design. An essential component of the region’s traditional attire is the gahfiya. Additionally, it represents dignity and freedom.
Matches
Six group stage matches, one Round of 16 match, and one quarterfinal will all be played at the stadium.
- 21 November 2022, Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (1900 local time)
- 23 November 2022, Group E: Spain v Costa Rica (1900 local time)
- 25 November 2022, Group A: Qatar v Senegal (1600 local time)
- 27 November 2022, Group F: Belgium v Morocco (1600 local time)
- 29 November 2022, Group B: Iran v USA (2200 local time)
- 1 December 2022, Group F: Canada v Morocco (1800 local time)
- 4 December 2022, Round of 16: 1D v 2C (1800 local time)
- 10 December 2022, Quarter-final: W55 v W57 (1800 local time)
Opening Match
On October 22, 2021, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan competed in the Amir Cup final at the newly opened Al Thumama Stadium.
How to get there
Fans may travel to the site from the closest station utilizing shuttle buses and the Doha Metro.
Legacy and Sustainability
In order to accommodate local demands and give developing nations access to high-quality athletic facilities, the stadium’s 40,000 tournament capacity will be decreased. Football games and other athletic activities will be held in the arena’s remaining 20,000 spectators. The top stands of the stadium will be replaced with a boutique hotel, and a branch of a sports clinic will operate nearby.
The area around the stadium will develop into a centre for the neighborhood with courts for handball, volleyball, basketball, and swimming. Additionally, the area will have jogging and cycling tracks, giving athletes of all stripes a place to exercise. To guarantee that the area becomes a hive of activity and exercise, a number of retail and commercial spaces will also be built.
4. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Umm Al Afaei, Al Rayyan, Qatar (Capacity: 40,000)
Seven matches will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium during the FIFA World Cup, including one knockout round match for Qatar 2022 and six group games. The most prominent component of the stadium is a shimmering facade made up of designs that represent several facets of the nation: the value of family, the allure of the desert, the local flora and fauna, and local and international trade.
The fifth form, a shield, unites them all and symbolizes the unity and power that are especially important to the city of Al Rayyan. The area will have a variety of sporting amenities, including a skate park, an athletics track, a children’s playground, outdoor exercise equipment, an aquatics center, tennis courts, and cricket and football fields. In addition to the Mall of Qatar, which opened in 2016 and is located close to the stadium, there will also be manicured gardens, cafés, and pathways.
Matches
The stadium, which has a 40,000-person tournament capacity, will host six group-stage matches and one Round of 16 encounter.
- 21 November 2022, Group B: USA v Wales (2200 local time)
- 23 November 2022, Group F: Belgium v Canada (2200 local time)
- 25 November 2022, Group B: Wales v Iran (1300 local time)
- 27 November 2022, Group B: Japan v Costa Rica (1300 local time)
- 29 November 2022, Group B: Wales v England (2200 local time)
- 1 December 2022, Group F: Croatia v Belgium (1800 local time)
- 3 December 2022, Round of 16: 1C v 2D (1800 local time)
Opening Contest
When it hosted the Amir Cup final on December 18, 2020, the stadium was officially opened.
Getting there
The Doha Metro will be used by spectators to get to the location. The stadium can be reached on foot from the Green Line’s Al Riffa station.
Both Sustainability and Legacy
Al Rayyan Sports Club’s residence. After the competition, the movable top tier will be taken down, and the seats will be used to build other sports venues in Qatar and elsewhere.Numerous components of the demolished stadium, also known as Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, that originally stood on this location were utilised in the construction of the new complex, some of which were transformed into works of public art. The majority of the building materials—more than 90%—have been recycled or repurposed.
To minimize harm to the environment, trees that originally surrounding the old arena have been saved for future regeneration. In order to further decrease the stadium’s carbon footprint, energy and water efficiency measures have been implemented, and the Doha Metro link will provide easy access to and from the location. For the enjoyment of the neighborhood, the precinct will have 125,000m2 of green space together with native, water-efficient plants.
5. Lusail Stadium, North of Doha (Capacity: 80,000)
Ten matches, including the final, will take place at Lusail National Stadium during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, including six group games. The combination of light and shadow that distinguishes the “fanar” lantern served as inspiration for the stadium’s architecture. The exterior and shape of Lusail are reminiscent of the elaborate ornamental themes seen on bowls and other containers made during the Arab and Islamic world’s golden period of art and craftsmanship.
Matches
- 22 November 2022, Group C: Argentina v Saudi Arabia (1300 local time)
- 24 November 2022, Group G: Brazil v Serbia (2200 local time)
- 26 November 2022, Group C: Argentina v Mexico (2200 local time)
- 28 November 2022, Group H: Portugal v Uruguay (2200 local time)
- 30 November 2022, Group C: Saudi Arabia v Mexico (2200 local time)
- 2 December 2022, Group G: Cameroon v Brazil (2200 local time)
- 5 December 2022, Round of 16: 1H v 2G (12200 local time)
- 9 December 2022, Quarter-final: W49 v W50 (2200 local time)
- 13 December 2022, Semi-final: W57 v W58 (2200 local time)
- 18 December 2022, Final (1800 local time)
Getting there
The Doha Metro Red Line will provide service to the stadium. The stadium will be reachable by car through the Al Khor Expressway. Numerous park and ride facilities will be located adjacent to the stadium. After 2022, users of the Lusail Light Rail Tram will be able to get to the facility.
Sustainability and Legacy
The current goal for Lusail Stadium is to research changing the inner area of the venue to hold a variety of municipal facilities. After 2022, the location may have inexpensive housing units, stores, restaurants, clinics, and potentially a school. The upper layer might be converted into new residences’ outside terraces, and the area might even be developed to include a communal football field. Some of the tournament installations will need to be taken down to make room for these new facilities. Any materials removed will be saved, reused if feasible, and donated to areas in need of athletic facilities.
All aspects of the construction have been done using sustainable building techniques. In order to water the plants around the stadium, recycled water is used. There are operational leak detecting systems and water-efficient fixtures. When compared to traditional stadium constructions, the building site conserves 40% more fresh water. The roof of the arena was constructed with sustainability in mind.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a cutting-edge polymer, shields the stadium from heated winds, prevents dust from entering, lets in enough light for the pitch to flourish, and provides shade to lessen the demand on the air conditioners. Global Sustainability Assessment System gave Lusail Stadium a 5-star certification.
6. Stadium 974, Ras Abu Aboud, Qatar (Capacity: 40,000)
During the FIFA World Cup, Stadium 974 will host seven games, including one Round of 16 knockout game and six group games. Stadium 974, the only waterfront stadium with a breathtaking view of the Doha skyline, was built utilizing modular steel parts and standard approved shipping containers to reflect the neighboring port and the plot’s industrial past.
The end product is an arena that is unique, brightly colored, and utterly contemporary. The stadium’s idea was created by Fenwick Iribarren Architects. Because of the stadium’s smart modular architecture, fewer common building materials than in a conventional stadium development were needed, which helped keep construction costs low.
Matches
- 22 November 2022, Group C: Mexico v Poland (1900 local time)
- 24 November 2022, Group H: Portugal v Ghana (1900 local time)
- 26 November 2022, Group D: France v Denmark (1900 local time)
- 28 November 2022, Group G: Brazil v Switzerland (1900 local time)
- 30 November 2022, Group H: Poland v Argentina (2200 local time)
- 01 December 2022, Group G: Serbia v Switzerland (2200 local time)
- 05 December 2022, Round of 16: 1G v 2H (2200 local time)
Getting there
The Doha Metro may be used by spectators to get to the location. The Gold Line’s Ras Bu Abboud Station is 800 meters from the stadium. It is also easily accessible from the Doha Corniche through the recently constructed pedestrian walkways.
Opening Contest
The stadium, which can accommodate 40,000 tournament fans, was debuted during a digital launch in November 2021 and played host to its inaugural match on November 30, 2021, the first day of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021TM, between the United Arab Emirates and Syria.
Both Sustainability and Legacy
The first FIFA-compliant stadium that can be completely disassembled and used again after an event. This includes the ability to create numerous smaller stadiums out of the same materials or to rebuild the stadium in a new site with the same seating capacity. The Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) gave the stadium a 5-star certification for both its design and construction.
Since the stadium bowl seating is made to be naturally aired, air conditioning is not necessary. Depending on the legacy option chosen, the whole stadium’s steel structure can be recycled and used again after the event.mmBy using water-efficient techniques, the stadium uses 40% less water than a typical stadium build.
7. Education City Stadium, Education City, Al Rayyan, Qatar (Capacity: 45,350)
Six group games and two knockout matches will be played at Education City Stadium during the FIFA World Cup. Triangles on the stadium’s front generate intricate, diamond-like geometric patterns that seem to change color as the sun moves across the sky. Like diamonds, the stadium’s design stands for excellence, tenacity, and resilience. It will be cherished for both the memories it will preserve and its potential future worth to the nation.
Matches
Six group stage games, one Round of 16 match, and one quarterfinal will all be played in the stadium.
- 22 November 2022, Group D: Denmark v Tunisia (1600 local time)
- 24 November 2022, Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic (1600 local time)
- 26 November 2022, Group C: Poland v Saudi Arabia (1600 local time)
- 28 November 2022, Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana (1600 local time)
- 30 November 2022, Group D: Tunisia v France (1800 local time)
- 2 December 2022, Group H: Korea Republic v Portugal (1800 local time)
- 6 December 2022, Round of 16: 1F v 2E (1800 local time)
- 6 December 2022, Quarter-final: W53 v W54 (1800 local time)
Opening Contest
In June 2020, the stadium was officially opened as part of a virtual ceremony honoring those who provided front-line healthcare during the coronavirus outbreak.
The complex already has Education City Golf Club, which in 2020 hosted the inaugural Qatar Masters, a European Tour competition. The precinct will have two schools, a health and wellness center, a shopping area, and a conference center while in heritage mode.
Getting there
The Doha Metro Green Line will be used by fans to get to the site. Only 500 meters separate Education City Station from the stadium.
Sustainability and Legacy
The stadium’s movable upper tier will be taken down, and the seats will be donated to a nation lacking in athletic facilities. The stadium will develop into a center for local residents’ participation in sports, including professors and students. The stadium is the first site for the Qatar 2022 event to get a five-star grade from the Global Sustainability Assessment System for design and construction (GSAS). Modern cooling equipment will be installed in Education City Stadium for the benefit of spectators, athletes, and authorities.
8. Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar (Capacity: 40,000)
The Al Janoub Stadium will play home to seven matches at the FIFA World Cup, including one knockout round match for Qatar 2022 and six group games. Al Wakrah’s maritime legacy is honored by the design, which draws inspiration from the sails of ancient dhow boats.
The stadium can be utilized all year round thanks to an innovative cooling system and flexible roof. AECOM and Zaha Hadid Architects created the stadium’s architecture. In the precinct, Al Janoub Park debuted in February 2020. It has playgrounds for kids, running and cycling trails, and other open spaces. The neighborhood will eventually have a marketplace and amenities including a mosque and a school.
Matches
- 22 November 2022, Group D: France v Australia (2200 local time)
- 24 November 2022, Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon (1300 local time)
- 26 November 2022, Group F: Tunisia v Australia (1300 local time)
- 28 November 2022, Group G: Cameroon v Serbia (1300 local time)
- 30 November 2022, Group D: Australia v Denmark (1800 local time)
- 1 December 2022, Group H: Ghana v Uruguay (1800 local time)
- 5 November 2022, Round of 16: 1E v 2F (1800 local time)
Opening match
The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 when it hosted the 2019 Amir Cup final.
How to get there
Al Janoub Stadium is served by a network of new expressways and roads which provide easy access to residents and visitors to both Al Wakrah and Doha. The stadium will be served by Al Wakrah station on the Red Line of the Doha Metro. The station is located 4.5km from the stadium and will be served by shuttle bus services on match days. The precinct has dedicated bus stops, interconnected cycling paths and safe pedestrian routes.
Legacy and Sustainability
Al Janoub Stadium was delivered by a variety of Qatari businesses, including MIDMAC and PORR Qatar, Coastal, which made the stadium seats, and SOLB26, which produced the steel needed for the stadium. The Qatari economy has benefited from more than 50% of the stadium’s construction-related investment. Due to the stadium’s modular design, its capacity will drop from 40,000 to 20,000 following the competition, with any extra seats from the upper deck being donated to international football development initiatives.