WORLD CUP – VENUES

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World Cup 2022
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Knockout: Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals

World Cup Locations and Venues

One of the biggest sporting events eagerly awaited all over the world is the World Cup. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, so many countries are filled with fans clamoring for more World Cup information. This year, in 2022, the World Cup will be held at the end of the year in Qatar from November 21, 2022 to December 18, 2022.

This year’s World Cup will be the first World Cup held in the Arab world. It will also be the second World Cup to be held entirely in the continent of Asia, the first being the 2002 tournament that was held in South Korea and Japan. And, it will also be the first World Cup tournament not held in May, June, or July, due to the heat in Qatar. This World Cup will also be the last to feature thirty two teams as the number of teams involved will increase to forty eight for the 2026 World Cup tournament.

There will be thirty two teams competing in sixty five matches in the World Cup in Qatar. Qatar has eight playing venues that the teams will be playing in, with the first match between Senegal and the Netherlands  taking place at Al Bayt Stadium. The final match will be held on Qatar National Day, on December 18, 2022, and will be held at Lusail Stadium.

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Lusail Iconic Stadium, also known as Lusail Stadium, is located in Lusail, Qatar. The stadium opened in November 2021. It is the biggest of the eight stadiums that will be hosting matches during the World Cup. It has a capacity of 80,000 people and will be hosting the final match of the World Cup. After the world cup, it will be downgraded to a 40,000 capacity stadium.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16
• One Quarter-Final Match
• One Semi-Final Match
• The Final Match

Al Bayt Stadium

Al Bayt Stadium is located in Al Khor, Qatar. It is a soccer stadium that has a retractable roof. The stadium opened in November 2021. Al Bayt Stadium will be hosting the first match of the World cup, which will see Senegal face off with the Netherlands. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 people. It is the second largest stadium that will be featured in the World Cup, second to Lusail Iconic Stadium.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches (Opening Match)
• One Round of 16
• One Quarter-Final Match
• One Semi-Final Match

Al Janoub Stadium

Al Janoub Stadium, formerly Al-Wakrah Stadium, is located in Al-Wakrah, Qatar. The stadium opened in May of 2019. It is the second of the eight stadiums opened for the World Cup, after the renovation of Khalifa International Stadium. For the World Cup, the capacity of the stadium will be 40,000. However, after the World Cup, the capacity will be reduced to 20,000. Al Janoub Stadium hosted the 2020 AFC Champions League Final in December 2020.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is popularly known as the Al-Rayyan Stadium and is located in Al Rayyan, Qatar. It is a multi-purpose stadium that mainly hosts soccer matches at this time. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is the home to the Al-Rayyan Sports Club as well as the Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club. The stadium was originally built in 2003, then was demolished and rebuilt from 2016 to 2020. It reopened in December 2020. The new stadium has a current seating capacity of 50,000 people.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16

Khalifa International Stadium

Khalifa International Stadium is also commonly known as National Stadium, is located in Doha, Qatar. Khalifa International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is part of the Doha Sports City complex, which also includes Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, as well as the Aspire Tower. The stadium is the first of the eight stadiums opened for the World Cup. The stadium initially opened in 1976, however it was renovated and reopened in May 2017. The current capacity of the stadium is 45,416 people.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16
• Match for Third Place

Education City Stadium

Education City Stadium is located in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The venue was purposely built for use in the World Cup that will be held in Qatar. The stadium earned its name because it is located within several university campuses at the Qatar Foundation's Education City. Education City Stadium opened in February 2020 and hosted its first official game in September 2020. The stadium is one of eight stadiums that has been converted for the World Cup. ​​ The current capacity of the stadium is 45,350 people.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16
• One Quarter-Final Match

Stadium 974

Stadium 974, formerly known as Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, is located in Ras Abu Aboud, Doha, Qatar. The stadium is a temporary venue built for the World Cup in Qatar that was made out of nine hundred and seventy four recycled shipping containers. It will be dismantled after the World Cup. It is the first temporary venue in the history of the World Cup. The stadium opened in November of 2021. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 people.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16

Al Thumama Stadium

Al Thumama Stadium is located in Al Thumama, Qatar. The stadium opened in October of 2021 and was built in time for the World Cup. Al Thumama Stadium is located near Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The stadium is surrounded by a 540,000 sq ft park. The stadium currently has a capacity of 40,000 people, however, after the World Cup, half the seats will be removed and donated to other countries, giving the stadium a capacity of 20,000 people.

World Cup Games:

• Five Group Matches
• One Round of 16
• One Quarter-Final Match

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