Host Country , QATAR

Qatar is preparing to make history by hosting not only their first FIFA World Cup™, but the first ever to be staged in the Middle East. And the peninsula promises to produce a World Cup like no other. It will be the smallest nation ever to host the global finals, for one, allowing visitors to navigate the country with ease – and even plan for watching multiple matches on the same day. Add to the mix traditional Arab hospitality, and winter weather conditions ideal for watching and playing the beautiful game, and Qatar’s World Cup promises to be one to savour. The Qatari peninsula shares its only land border with Saudi Arabia, though Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates can be found nearby to the north-west and south-east respectively. It is well used to receiving foreign guests, with a vibrant ex-pat community accounting for 80 per cent of its population. Qatar has also spent recent years constructing some of the most eco-friendly and architecturally advanced sporting facilities ever seen. All will be on show to the world as the greatest show on earth finally lands in the Middle East.

World Cup Stadiums

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City

This distinctive and uniquely Qatari stadium is set to rival the best in the world. Fans arriving at the 60,000-capacity arena, which will be covered with a giant tent-like structure, are certainly unlikely to have seen anything like it.

Al Janoub Stadium

Al Janoub Stadium burst into life as it was unveiled to the world in spectacular style, being inaugurated with the 2019 Emir Cup final as Al Duhail lifted the trophy beneath a sky awash with triumphant fireworks. Found in the coastal city of Al Wakrah – situated just south of capital Doha – the area’s connection with the sea, having been formerly known as a pearling village, influenced the flowing design of the striking stadium’s exterior, which was developed in conjunction with the world famous Zaha Hadid Architects.

Al Rayyan Stadium

Due to its location on the edge of the desert, preserving nature has long been a priority in Al Rayyan – and this arena fits perfectly with the ethos of one of Qatar’s most traditional cities. Every part of the stadium district has been designed with sustainability in mind. After the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ has come to a close, Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) plans to remove almost half of the stadium's 40,000 modular seats and give them to football development projects abroad.

Al Thumama Stadium

Based on the design of traditional Arabic headwear, the gahfiya, the stadium aims to radiate the culture of the country and region with its intricately designed exterior. A short 12km journey south from central Doha, Al Thumama Stadium is named after a native tree which can be found growing in the area. Designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim M.Jaidah, following the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) plans to convert it from a 40,000-seater into a 20,000 capacity stadium, housing a sports clinic and hotel.

Education City Stadium

A vibrant centre of knowledge, Doha’s Education City Stadium can be found amid several leading universities. The area is home to the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, with academia and innovation at the heart of the community’s ethos.

Khalifa International Stadium

Al Rayyan’s much-loved Khalifa International Stadium is Qatar’s most historic football venue, having hosted the Asian Games, the Gulf Cup, the AFC Asian Cup and five matches of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, including the Final between Liverpool and Flamengo.

Lusail Stadium

The Lusail Stadium is set to be a historic venue for a plethora of reasons.Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) plans to remove and donate most of the stadium's 80,000 seats to sporting projects across the globe.

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium

Undoubtedly one of the most innovative FIFA World Cup™ stadium designs ever, the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be constructed using shipping containers, removable seats and other modular ‘building blocks’.