As we count down to the 2nd edition of the FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar from November 2022, we’ve ranked the best football stadiums in Qatar, from the smallest to largest.
Since Korea Japan World Cup back in 2002, Qatar is the first country from the Asian continent to host the most significant football competition globally.
To give you, the football fan and supporter, the best experience, the Government of Qatar spent billions of dollars on assembling some of the best stadiums capable of competing with some of the most famous in the world.
In summary, the FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Qatar in the next couple of months promises to give the best experience for fans and players with the development and reconciliation of some of the biggest stadiums on the Asian continent.
This edition of the World Cup would witness a change from the traditional June to July tournament. Instead, it would be held from November to December.
Why was the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar shifted to November/ December?
Facts
How many World Cup stadiums does Qatar have? Qatar built eight stadiums for the World Cup finals in 2022.
Best football stadiums in Qatar (2022) by capacity
8. Al Janoub Stadium – 40,000
Al-Janoub Stadium is a retractable roof football stadium in Al-Wakrah selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
7. Al Thumama Stadium – 40,000
Al-Thumama Stadium is a football stadium in Al Thumama, Qatar. It has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
6. Stadium 974 – 40,000
Stadium 974 is a football stadium in Ras Abu Aboud, Doha. It has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and will be one of the venues that will host matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
5. Ahmed bin Ali Stadium – 44,740
The Ahmed bin Ali Stadium or Al-Rayyan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Al Rayyan. It is home to Al-Rayyan Sports Club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club.
Al Rayyan has a seating capacity of 40,740, which makes it the fourth largest in the country.
4. Education City Stadium – 45,350
Education City Stadium is a football stadium and the third largest, with a seating capacity of 45,350. Its naming came due to its location as it was built amid several university campuses in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Nicknamed the “Diamond in the Desert”, Education City Stadium has over 20 per cent of its building materials identified as green. This makes it ranks amongst the world’s most environmentally sustainable stadiums.
Although it is a football stadium, the education city is also a tourist attraction with thousands of visitors yearly touring the stadium facilities. The current seating capacity could be reduced after the World Cup to allow the construction of athletic facilities for the university campuses.
Al-Rayyan is the largest population centre in Qatar outside of Doha, the country’s seat of power.
3. Khalifa International Stadium – 45,416
Khalifa International Stadium or the National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is part of the Doha Sports City complex and also includes Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and the Aspire Tower.
Khalifa International Stadium is one of the best stadiums in Qatar, having a seating capacity of 45,416. It hosted several sporting activities like the 2006 Asian Games, 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.
2. Al Bayt Stadium – 60,000
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12098513/qatar-2022-world-cup-gianni-infantino-impressed-by-progress-of-preparations
Al-Bayt is one of the unique football stadiums in Al Khor, Qatar. Al-Bayt has retractable and is one of the selected venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the country.
The Al Bayt Stadium is the second-largest football stadium in Qatar, with a seating capacity of 60,000 people. However, in December 2021, it recorded 63,439 spectators when the Qatar Men’s National Team took on the United Arab Emirates.
Al Bayt, with a tent-like structure, has four stands with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) woven fibreglass membrane covering the exterior walls. On top of it is a retractable roof that connects the four stands to enclose the stadium.
Al Khor and commonly known as Al Thakhira is a municipality in the State of Qatar.
1. Lusail Iconic Stadium – 80,000
Lusail Iconic Stadium or Lusail International Stadium, located in Lusail, is the biggest football stadium in Qatar and has a capacity of 80,000 spectators.
The Lusail Iconic will host the final and some of the most significant games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was built in April 2021 and officially opened on 22 November 2021.
The Lusail Iconic will be cooled using solar power and zero carbon footprint. This was introduced to reduce the heat level due to the weather condition in the region.
Essential features of the Lusail
Iconic includes shops, health clinics, cafés, athletic facilities, etc.
Lusail City is planned City would host the FIFA World Cup in December. Upon completion, the City is expected to become a hub for commercial and private investors and private personnel. It is located about 23 km north of Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
