Qatar Stadium Guide for the FIFA World Cup 2022

Lusail Iconic Stadium is set to host both the opening game and the final of the 2022 World Cup. The arena will have a capacity of just over 86,000 and was designed by British architects Foster + Partners. With a structure designed to mirror the ancient Arab craft of bowl weaving, the stadium is set to provide a stunning venue for the opening and closing of the tournament.

The arena is located in Lusail City, a new city situated to the north of Doha. Amazingly, this is an entire city that’s being specially constructed for the event. By the time the World Cup kicks off in November 2022, Lusail will be home to a wide range of facilities including marinas, island resorts, luxury shopping and leisure facilities, and much more. Just 15 km north of central Doha, Lusail Iconic Stadium will be served by a direct metro link from the capital, making this an easy stadium to get to.

The only Qatar football World Cup stadium not being built from scratch, Khalifa International is the most iconic arena in the nation of Qatar and has actually been around since 1976. That’s practically ancient by local standards. After a massive renovation, the ground reopened in 2017 and, with a 40,000 capacity, it will host games up to the quarter-final stage. With advanced cooling technologies keeping both players and fans at the ideal temperature, the stadium’s modernity is also represented by the iconic dual arch external structure.

Khalifa International Stadium sits at the heart of Doha’s Aspire Zone, an area of technological development and innovation that’s set to act as a major centre for fans throughout the 2022 World Cup.

Al-Bayt Stadium is situated in the city of Al-Khor and is set to be a semi-final host at the 2022 World Cup. The arena features a striking design that reflects the tents used by the Bedouin people, a nomadic group living across the Arab world for centuries.

The 60,000-seater stadium will be set within a wider complex featuring various amenities such as a shopping mall, hospital and more. At 60 km from Doha, this stadium is one of the most difficult to reach for fans, with taxis and buses being the best options to travel here from the capital.

Al-Janoub stadium is a truly striking arena that has a capacity of around 40,000. It was designed by the late, globally renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid in her signature curved style. This stylish Qatar stadium was inspired by the hulls of pearl fishing boats that have long operated across the Arabian Peninsula. This is something further reflected in the use of traditional materials and even timber in the construction of the arena.

Al-Janoub stadium is located in Al-Wakrah city. At just 20 km from Doha, fans will be able to reach the city of Al-Wakrah stadium using a purpose-built metro line.

Education City Stadium is a 40,000-seater arena that's set to host matches up to the quarter-final stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. It's named after its location on the campus of Qatar’s leading university. The football ground has been designed in the form of a jagged diamond that will glitter by day and, quite literally, glow by night. The stadium is set to have its capacity cut by half after the tournament with more than 20,000 seats set to be donated to build stadiums in developing countries.

Education City Stadium is located 7 km from downtown Doha and fans will find it easy to get there by road or by metro. The whole area is filled with green spaces, a golf course, and even a state-of-the-art shopping mall.

Situated on the site of the old Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, the Al-Rayyan Stadium has a capacity of over 40,000, which allows it to host matches up to the quarter-finals stage of the Qatar World Cup.

One of Qatar’s most traditional and historic cities, Al-Rayyan sits on the edge of the desert and will allow visitors to the country a glimpse into Qatar’s deep cultural roots. At just a few kilometres from Doha, fans will be able to reach this stadium on a purpose-built metro line.

Located just 12 km from central Doha, the 40,000-seater Al-Thumama Stadium is visually striking and innovatively designed. The interesting design of this arena is inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven cap worn by Arab males.

As with many of the stadiums at the 2022 World Cup, Al-Thumama will cut its capacity in half after the tournament and donate more than 20,000 seats to help promote football and stadia in developing nations. The stadium can be reached on a purpose-built metro line from Doha.

The 40,000-seater Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is a triumph of sustainability, set on the shores of the Gulf and overlooking Doha just a few kilometres away. Made from shipping containers and other repurposed materials, the stadium will be dismantled after the 2022 World Cup, with the parts being used in other building projects across the nation.

The stunning waterside location of this arena will be a breath of fresh air for fans, who can reach Ras Abu Aboud via a short metro ride from downtown Doha just across the bay.