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World Cup 2022 stadiums: In December 2010, FIFA President Sepp Blatter sent shockwaves through the global football community when he announced that Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup.
Corruption charges surrounded the decision, and after Batter resigned amid a corruption scandal in 2015, many expected the Arab state to lose the competition.
Yet, against all odds, the first ever World Cup in the Middle East is about to begin. The road to Qatar was not easy, with controversy surrounding the deaths of workers building the stadium and Qatar's human rights record, while many wondered how a tournament summer could be organized in a country where temperatures exceed 45°C.
It quickly became apparent that holding the competition during the northern hemisphere winter for the first time would be the only possible option. The result is an unprecedented World Cup, staged in the middle of the European season, with the continent's biggest leagues taking a month-long break to allow their players to represent their countries.
But that's not the only unique aspect of this year's football party. All matches will be played in an area the size of London, with all eight stadiums within a 30km radius of central Doha.
We present you here the eight stadiums that will host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, many of which are powered by solar panel farms and were built especially for the tournament.
Table of contents
1. Stadium 974 (Rass Abou Aboud)
- CAPACITY: 40
- GAMES: Seven
This stadium was built from 974 shipping containers and other materials, which will be dismantled after the tournament is over. With a spectacular view of the Doha skyline, Stadium 974 makes history as the first temporary venue for a World Cup.
2. AL JANOUB STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 40
- GAMES: Seven
Al Janoub's futuristic design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhows that have played a central role in Qatar's maritime trade for centuries. Featuring a retractable roof and an innovative cooling system, the stadium can host events all year round. It was designed by Dame Zaha Hadid, a late British-Iraqi architect.
The Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, which will host one of the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is equipped with the most advanced air conditioning technology in the world, which guarantees a pleasant temperature for the viewers.
3. AHMAD BIN ALI STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 45
- GAMES: Seven
This venue is one of only two not built specifically for the World Cup. It will host all of Wales' Group B matches against the United States, Iran and, of course, England. Located near the desert that surrounds Doha, the reception areas outside the ground resemble sand dunes.
4. AL BAYT STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 60
- GAMES: New
The eyes of the world will be on Al Bayt Stadium when it hosts the opening game of the tournament, pitting Qatar against Ecuador, and the Group B match between England and the United States. It will also host one of the semi-finals and has been designed to look like a traditional Arabic tent called 'bayt al sha'ar'.
5. AL THUMAMA STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 40
- GAMES: Eight
Inspired by the gahfiya, a traditional woven headdress worn by men in the Middle East, this stadium is the first World Cup venue to be designed by a Qatari architect, Ibrahim Jaidah. The stadium, which has an on-site mosque and hotel, will halve its capacity after the World Cup and donate its seats to developing countries.
6. LUSAIL Stadium
- CAPACITY: 80
- GAMES: 10
including the final More than two billion people across the world are expected at Lusail Stadium on Sunday 18 December to watch the World Cup final. The golden exterior of the stadium, which only opened this year, is inspired by the region's traditional 'fanar' lanterns.
7. EDUCATION CITY STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 45
- GAMES: Eight
Nicknamed the “Diamond in the Desert” for its reputation for twinkling by day and shining by night, this stadium hosted the 2021 Club World Cup final, won by Bayern iS Munich, and is set to become the home of the Qatar women's team after the World Cup.
8. KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
- CAPACITY: 45
- GAMES: Eight
Built in 1976, the stadium has been refurbished for the tournament and will host the third-place play-off and England's first Group B game against Iran. It hosted the World Championships in Athletics in 2019, while England have played there once before, losing 1-0 to Brazil in a friendly in 2009.
Air conditioning in stadiums
In reality, Qatar has not or little communicated on the air conditioning of its stadiums. The subject is sensitive for an Emirate with a heavy carbon footprint. However, to host the World Cup, Qatar built or renovated eight stadiums in total. Seven of these eight stadiums are equipped with air conditioning, according to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the body responsible for overseeing the competition in the country. The only non-air-conditioned one, stadium 974, is made of containers and intended to be dismantled after the event.
One of Qatar's biggest challenges was dealing with the sweltering desert heat in the stadiums. The solution was to create an air conditioning system that cools the air before it is blown into the stands.
Qatar has spent billions of dollars preparing for the World Cup, and air conditioning in stadiums is one of the most important measures to ensure the comfort of players and spectators. Air conditioning is also essential to preserve the quality of the game, as it helps maintain an ideal temperature on the pitch.
With air conditioning, Qatar's stadiums are ready to host the World Cup in the best possible conditions.
More on the 2022 World Cup:
- Top +27 channels and sites to watch all matches for free
- +15 Best Free Soccer Streaming Sites Without Downloading
- Brazil, the joy of the sixth cup?
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