There is really no question as to why Qatar deserves to be awarded the well-fought title to host the epic 2022 FIFA World Cup games.
From approximately 400,000 people only a few years ago, Qatar's population has now grown to over 2.5 million. And despite the blockade, its bid to host one of the biggest sports events to date is still in place—these factors are truly more than enough to label Qatar one of the swiftest developing countries in the world.
When it won the rights to host the World Cup last December 2010, Qatar also vowed to use the golden opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab world and the West. With 32 teams, 65 matches, and maximum 12 stadiums all planned for the epic 2022, there's not a single thing that can stop Qatar from getting well-known globally and sports-wise.
For your first glimpse of some of Qatar's most innovative World Cup stadiums, keep on scrolling!
Location: Lusail city
Capacity: Approximately 87,000
Opening: 2021
Will host: Opening and closing ceremonies
What's so special about it: Not only is the Lusail stadium the biggest to be erected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lusail City—where it's located—will also be home to nearly 200,000 people who will enjoy its parks, marinas, businesses, theme park and of course—the gigantic stadium named after it. Dubbed as the flagship venue for the World Cup, the Lusail Stadium is so accessible that football fans will get to games via upgraded roads, the Doha Metro or the Lusail Light Rail Transit system—a suitably green method of transport for this city of the future.
Location: Al Khor
Capacity: 60,000
Opening: 2020
Will host: Semifinals
What's so special about it: Locals will surely adore the Al Bayt stadium's nomad-inspired design like a giant tent structure—a nod to the nomadic Qataris and Arabs—will cover the whole stadium and will be a model of green development at the same time. Like a true nomad's tent, this stadium located in Al Khor will be totally portable.
Why it's sustainable: The top tier of seating will be removed following the 2022 FIFA World Cup and given to developing nations that need stadium seating—a lasting reminder of Qatar’s generous spirit.
Location: Al Rayyan
Capacity: Approximately 45,000
Status: 2020
Will host: Quarterfinals
What's so special about it: The expansion that the new Al Rayyan Stadium is currently going through will incorporate symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular undulating façade. The facilities surrounding the venue will also mirror the country, with sand dune-shaped structures recalling the beautiful wildlands to the West. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy will deliver the venue using environmentally friendly building materials and practices.
Why it's sustainable: After the games have come to a close, almost half of the stadium’s 40,000 modular seats will be removed and given to football development projects abroad. The smaller post-tournament arena will enable Al Rayyan to maintain the intimate, neighbourly character it is famous for.
Location: Doha
Capacity: 40,000
Will host: Quarterfinals
What's so special about it: Al Thumama Stadium's design represents the Gahfiya—a traditional woven cap worn by males across the Arab world and beyond. It is also a symbol of dignity and independence—a perfect analogy for Qatar and the surrounding region. Also, the stadium is a nod to the past, while offering an exciting glimpse into Qatar's tomorrow. And just recently, it received the prestigious MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Project Award in the sport and stadiums category.
Why it's sustainable: Al Thumama stadium's impact will be felt long after the curtain comes down on the tournament. In legacy mode, the stadium's capacity will be reduced to meet local needs and provide quality sporting infrastructure to developing nations. The remaining 20,000-seat arena will be used for football and other sporting events.
Location: Al Wakrah
Capacity: Approximately 45,000
Will host: Quarterfinals
Status: Opened May 2019
What's so special about it: Football fans will find plenty to do before and after the matches, whether it’s taking a stroll along the waterfront, buying unique local wares at the Souq or discovering the area’s rich history at a museum. And... it won’t just be visitors from overseas who will enjoy this wonderful venue. A school, wedding hall, cycling and running tracks, restaurants, marketplaces, gyms and parkland are just some of the new amenities that will accompany one of Qatar's premier stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Why it's sustainable: After the tournaments, it will become the Al Wakrah Sports Club’s home, with a reduced capacity of 20,000 guaranteeing an electric atmosphere for their Qatar Stars League matches. The other 20,000 seats will be donated to football development projects overseas, once again demonstrating Al Wakrah’s innovative nature and ability to connect with far-off lands.
Location: Doha
Capacity: 50,000 (planning to extend to approximately 68,000)
Status: Reopened May 2017
What's so special about it: If the Lusail Stadium is the biggest, then the Khalifa International Stadium was the first one to get inaugurated—during last year's Amir Cup finals. It has long been the cornerstone of the country’s sporting tradition with its unique geography and advanced transport systems which are set to make it the best-connected international football competition venue ever.
Location: Doha
Capacity: Approximately 40,000
Will host: Quarterfinals
Opening: 2020
What's so special about it: Also known as Education City Stadium, the Qatar Foundation Stadium is designed to reflect a diamond in the desert. And because it's located inside the Education City—an initiative of the Qatar Foundation for Education where multiple local and foreign universities and research institutes are based—students will have an easy-to-access World Cup venue where they can just easily jump from classes to matches hassle-free.
Why it's sustainable: Its most direct contribution to international development will come after it has hosted matches through to the quarter-finals stage of the tournament. The arena’s capacity will be reduced by half, and 20,000 seats will be donated to build stadiums in developing countries, helping cultivate a passion for the game around the globe.
Location: Doha
Capacity: Approximately 40,000
What's so special about it: Constructed using shipping containers, removable seats, and other modular ‘building blocks,' the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is a great addition to Qatar's wide array of stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is strategically located on the shores of the Gulf, looking across to Doha’s dazzling West Bay skyline.
Why it's sustainable: Following the tournament’s conclusion, the stadium will be dismantled and make way for a waterfront development for local people to enjoy. Its parts will be used in other sporting or non-sporting projects, setting a new standard in sustainability and introducing bold new ideas in tournament legacy planning.
Sources: (Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, The Stadium Guide)
Are you as excited as we are for the FIFA World Cup happening in Qatar less than 5 years from now? If your answer's yes, what do you think of the above-listed stadiums? Did you get more excited? Drop us a line in the comment section below and also, don't forget to like and share this article—it keeps us going!
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