Soccer

World Cup 2022: World Cup stadium guide

bet365 News Team Updated: 06 Dec 22 14:06

As the 2022 World Cup edges ever closer, we take a look at all eight stadiums that will play host to the action in Qatar this winter.

(This article was originally published on 03.10.2022)

The Al Bayt Stadium has the honour of staging the opening game of the tournament, with the Lusail Iconic Stadium marked as the venue for the 22nd World Cup Final.

What	World Cup 2022
Where	Qatar
When	20th November - 18th December 2022
How to watch	All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV
Odds	Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City

The venue that will kick-off the 2022 World Cup, the Al Bayt Stadium, will see the opening clash between hosts Qatar and Ecuador on 20th November.

Backed by the home support, Qatar are currently 9/4 to pick up all three points, while Ecuador are 6/5 to spoil the party and claim the win, with the draw available at 23/10.

Located 35km away from the capital Doha, Al Bayt Stadium was opened on 30th November 2021.

The venue, which has a capacity of 60,000, will host nine games in total. Three knockout games will take place there, including one of the two semi-finals on 14th December.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Al Bayt Stadium

Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail City

Hosting the most games through the tournament including the final on 18th December, Lusail Stadium will offer up 10 games throughout the 2022 World Cup.

By far the biggest venue at the tournament, Lusail Stadium has a capacity of 80,000 and was completed in April 2021.

The World Cup's other semi-final will be played at this venue on 13th December, before the showpiece event in the final five days later.

Lusail Stadium will host its first game on 22nd November, as Argentina take on Saudi Arabia in Group C, with the Albicelesti 2/11 for the win, 6/1 to draw and 12/1 to suffer a major upset at the hands of the Saudis.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Lusail Stadium

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

A rebuilt venue for the World Cup, the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium has been reconstructed to increase its capacity of 21,282 to 44,740.

The original stadium was opened back in 2003 and following the World Cup the stadium will be reduced back down to 21,000 seats.

Gareth Southgate's England, who are 11/2 to win the tournament this winter, face neighbours Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on 29th November in Group B.

The venue will host its first match on 21st November when the United States take on Wales.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

Based in Al Wakrah, it is the home of Qatar Stars League outfit Al Wakrah SC.

Again this stadium's capacity will be reduced after the tournament, with eventually 20,000 seats in place.

Al Janoub Stadium will host its first game on 22nd November when the reigning champions France, who are 6/1 to retain their title, host Australia in Group D.

There will be one knockout game staged at this venue, with the winners of Group E facing the runners-up of Group F in a round of 16 clash on 5th December.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Al Janoub Stadium

Al Thumama Stadium, Al Thumama

Opened on 22nd October 2021 on the day of the Emir Cup final, Al Thumama Stadium has already seen action ahead of the World Cup.

The stadium hosted six games during the FIFA Arab Cup last year and will host eight matches at the World Cup, including a quarter-final on 10th December.

Dark horses for the competition the Netherlands, who are 12/1 to win a first World Cup after losing three previous finals, take on Senegal on 21st November in the first game at Al Thumama Stadium.

The venue once again has a capacity of 40,000 which will be reduced by half after the tournament. Pieces from the stadium not used after the World Cup are to be donated to other countries.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Al Thumama Stadium

Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan

Located within several university campuses at the Qatar Foundation's Education City, the Education City Stadium was opened on 15th June 2020.

Just in the outskirts of Doha, the ground has a capacity of 45,350 and will host its first game on 22nd November when an improving Denmark side face Tunisia in Group D.

Education City Stadium will offer up two knockout games, including one of the four quarter-finals on 9th December.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Education City Stadium

Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan

Also known as the National Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium is a multi-purpose venue in Doha and is named after Qatar's former Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, it has a capacity of 45,416.

The venue is by far the oldest to be used at the upcoming tournament after it was opened in 1976.

Renovation took place between 2014 to 2017 to bring the stadium up to modern standards and it is a venue that has seen plenty of football and athletics action over the years.

In one of the highlights of its history, Khalifa International Stadium was the focal point of the 2019 World Athletics Championships.

England will play their opening game of the World Cup at this venue, as they face Iran on 21st November - the Three Lions are 2/7 to win, 4/1 to draw and 10/1 to lose the encounter in the capital.

On 17th December Khalifa International Stadium will also host the third-place play-off just a day before the final.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Khalifa International Stadium

Stadium 974, Ras Bu Abboud

Named after the amount of shipping containers used in its construction, Stadium 974 is arguably the most unique venue at this winter's World Cup.

Stadium 974, in the first of its kind used at a World Cup, is actually a temporary stadium that will be dismantled after the tournament.

Built near the waterfront in the Ras Bu Abboud district of Doha, the stadium was officially opened on 30th November 2021.

With a capacity of 40,000 the stadium will host games from Group C, D and H, with its first match on 22nd November with Mexico facing Poland.

On 5th December, Stadium 974 will host its one and only knockout game of the tournament in the round of 16 stage, as the winners of Group G take on the runners-up of Group H with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

World Cup - Football: Stadium Guide - Stadium 974