Overview of the stadiums at the World Cup 2022

Qatar 2022 Summer FIFA World Cup is a unique historical event for many reasons. Features it offers, the technology it applies, and the stadiums it will use make it a desirable manifestation for millions of people. The tournament is globally anticipated and organizers are dedicated to preparation for a long time to achieve perfection. FIFA announced Qatar as a World Cup 2022 host back in 2010, and since then Qatar has actively worked to provide everything needed and more. They had in mind that Qatar is a country with critical climate conditions.

For the first time in an Arab country, the quadrennial international man’s football championship will take a place in Qatar, from the 21st of November to the 18th of December 2022.

We give a short overview of the 8 stadiums selected for the World Cup tournament, as well their capacities and the inspiration behind their designs.

Qatar World Cup 2022 Stadiums

1. Al Thumama Stadium by Ibrahim Jaidah Architects and Engineers

The Al Thumama Stadium is located 12km south of Doha, near Hamad International Airport. Its design is inspired by traditional headpieces worn by Muslim men in the Arabian region. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 seats, and after the Cup, the half number of seats will be donated to other countries. 50,000 sqm of the parking area is integrated, and the stadium is surrounded by a 50,000 sqm large public park. 84% of the trees they used are native. Compared to a conventional stadium, Al Thumama saves 40% more fresh water by recycling water to irrigate green areas.

2. Al Janoub Stadium by Zaha Hadid Architects + AECOM

Al Janoub Stadium’s previous name was Al Wakrah Stadium. Al Wakrah is one of the oldest inhabited areas of southern Doha and offers rich cultural sites with a profound archaeological heritage.
Inspiration for the design comes from the city’s history of pearl diving, fishing, and traditional dhow boats. It counts 40,000 seats and after the Cup 20,000 seats will also be donated to football development projects overseas. Al Janoub consists of many facilities including a school, event hall, horse riding, and running tracks.

3. Al Bayt Stadium by AS+P Albert Speer + Partner and Dar Al-Handasah

This stadium will host matches until the semi-final stage of the tournament. 60,000 seat capacity makes it the second largest, after the Lusail Stadium with 80,000 seats. The traditional nomadic tent was an inspiration for its design which honors Qatar’s past and present and highlights the city’s history. Similar to nomad’s tents, the upper tier of the modular design seating is portable and intended for developing nations in the need of sporting infrastructure after the Cup.

4. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium by BDP Pattern, Ramboll and AECOM

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is one of the homes of Qatar’s most celebrated football teams in the city of Al Rayyan. One of the main designs includes a wavy facade with patterns characterizing different aspects of the country, such as “the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, the native flora and fauna, as well as local and international trade”. A lightweight canopy and advanced cooling systems will protect 40,000 fans.

5. Education City Stadium by Fenwick Iribarren Architects

The capacity of this stadium is 45,350 seats. It is surrounded by academic facilities and sports organizations. The structure has been carefully designed with a focus on accessibility. During its construction, excavators uncovered rocks that date back 20-30 million years, which made them dig 17 meters further down, so the topgallant can sit below sea level where temperatures are cooler. The facade shows triangular patterns that change color during the day following the sun’s movement across the sky.

6. Stadium 974 by Fenwick Iribarren Architects

The Stadium 974’s design is based on the country’s international trade and seafaring. It is considered one of the most innovative designs of all 8 other stadiums serving on the Cup. The number “974” signifies the international dialing code for Qatar as well as the number of shipping containers used in its construction. Since the shipping containers mainly make this stadium, the 40,000 seat capacity will be entirely demounted following the tournament. They will be later used as a waterfront development for the local community.

7. Khalifa International Stadium

Khalifa stadium came into existence in 1976 and has been one of the most notable stadiums. It hosted the Asian Games, the Arabian Gulf Cup, and the AFC Asian Cup, among other events. The reopening of the stadium happened in 2017. Its capacity amounts to 40,000 seats and is equipped with innovative cooling technology for its players to compete in a comfortable environment. The new east wing structure will host food courts, shops, multi-purpose rooms, VIP lounges, a museum, and a health center.

8. Lusail Stadium by Foster+Partners and Populous

The largest stadium of all 8 structures will be hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar final. Lusail’s design is inspired by the interplay of lights and shadow seen in the Fanar lantern. Its form and facade indicate the art and furniture pieces found across the Arab and Islamic worlds during early civilizations. The master planning of the stadium features a tram system and lush green spaces, turning it into a sustainability-focused arena that focuses on environmental conservation. When the grand event is over, it will be transformed into a multi-purpose community hub with schools, shops, cafés, sporting facilities, and health clinics.

The gallery with pictures of all the stadiums you can find on this link: https://www.archdaily.com/