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This year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar will run from Monday, 21 November until Sunday, 18 December and, with the Final Draw now made, maybe you are thinking of attending some of the games to one of the world’s most watched sporting spectacles. If so, our definitive stadium by stadium guide – along with maps showing the accommodation near each stadium – will hopefully help with your plans.
There will be 8 stadia used for this year’s FIFA World Cup. Groups A, B, E and F have been allocated to the Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium and Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Groups C, D, G and H have been allocated to the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.
Here’s the low-down on each stadium, and a breakdown of which games will be played at these venues and when, along with a series of hotel recommendations and interactive maps to help you book.
Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail (capacity: 80,000)
The Lusail Stadium is located about 20 km north of Doha. It is the embodiment of Qatar’s passion for sharing its culture with the world, and has been designed as a rich representation of the Arabic world, showcasing motifs of vessels, bowls and art pieces from the region. It is the biggest stadium in Qatar, owned by the Qatar Football Association, and will be the venue for the World Cup Final. Interestingly, it will be cooled using solar power and will have a zero carbon footprint.
Match 8: Group C: Tue, 22nd Nov 13:00 (local time) – Argentina versus Saudi Arabia
Match 16: Group G: Thu, 24th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Brazil versus Serbia
Match 24: Group C: Sat, 26th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Argentina versus Mexico
Match 32: Group H: Mon, 28th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Portugal versus Uruguay
Match 40: Group C: Wed, 30th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Saudi Arabia versus Mexico
Match 48: Group G: Fri, 2nd Dec 22:00 (local time) – Cameroon versus Brazil
Match 56: Round of 16 game: Tue, 06th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 57: Quarter-final: Fri, 09th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 61: Semi-final: Tue, 13th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 64: Final: Sun, 18th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: The Ritz-Carlton, Doha; Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl; InterContinental Doha; and The St. Regis Doha.
Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor (capacity: 60,000)
The Al Bayt Stadium can be found in the city of Al Khor, famous for its pearl diving and fishing. Fashioned to replicate the bayt al sha’ar (the mobile home tent of the Bedouin tribes), its innovative design echoes the flowing fabric of the traditional Bedouin dwellings. It will be the venue for the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, between the host nation of Qatar and Latin American qualifiers Ecuador.
Match 1: Group A: Mon, 21st Nov 19:00 (local time) – Qatar versus Ecuador
Match 12: Group F: Wed, 23rd Nov 13:00 (local time) – Morocco versus Croatia
Match 20: Group B: Fri, 25th Nov 22:00 (local time) – England versus USA
Match 28: Group E: Sun, 27th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Spain versus Germany
Match 36: Group A: Tue, 29th Nov 18:00 (local time) – Netherlands versus Qatar
Match 44: Group E: Thu, 1st Dec 22:00 (local time) – Costa Rica or New Zealand (TBC) versus Germany
Match 51: Round of 16: Sun, 4th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 59: Quarter-final: Sat, 10th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 62: Semi-final: Wed, 14th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: Al Sultan Beach Resort; and Simaisma A Murwab Resort. The stadium itself will also include luxurious hotel suites and rooms with balcony views of the pitch.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan (capacity: 44,740)
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, popularly known as the Al-Rayyan Stadium, is named after Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar from 1960 to 1972, and is home to Al-Rayyan Sports Club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club. It is located at the edge of the desert and draws from Qatari cultural symbols to create a stadium that mirrors the desert and cultural beauty that surrounds it. The locals of Al Rayyan are known for their love of tradition and warm hospitality, and the area also plays host to a new mall, The Mall of Qatar.
Match 4: Group B: Mon, 21st Nov 22:00 (local time) – USA versus Wales or Scotland or Ukraine (TBC)
Match 9: Group F: Wed, 23rd Nov 22:00 (local time) – Belgium versus Canada
Match 17: Group B: Fri, 25th Nov 13:00 (local time) – Wales or Scotland or Ukraine (TBC)
Match 25: Group E: Sun, 27th Nov 13:00 (local time) – Japan versus Costa Rica or New Zealand (TBC)
Match 33: Group B: Tue, 29th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Wales or Scotland or Ukraine versus England
Match 41: Group F: Thu, 1 Dec 18:00 (local time) – Croatia versus Belgium
Match 50: Round of 16: Sat, 3rd Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: Simaisma A Murwab Resort.
Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah (capacity: 40,000)
The Al Janoub Stadium is located in the southern city of Al Wakrah, one of Qatar’s oldest continuously-inhabited areas. Its curvilinear postmodernist and neo-futurist design acknowledges the dhow, the pearl fishing boats which are one of the most iconic symbols of the Qatari region, since Al Wakrah has long been known as a centre for pearl diving and fishing. The use of flowing designs, timber and natural materials in the stadium construction pays homage to this heritage.
Match 5: Group D: Tue, 22nd Nov 22:00 (local time) – France versus Peru or Australia or UAE (TBC)
Match 13: Group G: Thu, 24th Nov 13:00 (local time) – Switzerland versus Cameroon
Match 21: Group D: Sat, 26th Nov 13:00 (local time) – Tunisia versus Peru or Australia or UAE (TBC)
Match 29: Group G: Mon, 28th Nov 13:00 (local time) – Cameroon versus Serbia
Match 37: Group D: Wed, 30th Nov 18:00 (local time) – Peru or Australia or UAE (TBC) versus Denmark
Match 45: Group H: Fri, 02nd Dec 18:00 (local time) – Ghana versus Uruguay
Match 53: Round of 16: Mon, 05th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: Mandarin Oriental Doha; Dusit Doha; and The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa.
Al Thumama Stadium, Doha (capacity: 40,000)
The Al Thumama Stadium is located near Hamad International Airport and takes its inspiration from the traditional taqiyah hat, a traditional woven cap worn by men and boys across the Middle East. This ode to the culture, history and symbolism of the area was designed by the Chief Architect of Arab Engineering Bureau Ibrahim Jaidah and has been a joint venture between Al Jaber Engineering of Qatar and Tekfen Construction of Turkey.
Match 2: Group A: Mon, 21st Nov 13:00 (local time) – Senegal versus Netherlands
Match 10: Group E: Wed, 23rd Nov 19:00 (local time) – Costa Rica or New Zealand (TBC) versus Spain
Match 18: Group A: Fri, 25th Nov 16:00 (local time) – Qatar versus Senegal
Match 26: Group F: Sun, 27th Nov 16:00 (local time) – Belgium versus Morocco
Match 38: Group B: Tue, 29th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Iran versus USA
Match 42: Group F: Thu, 1st Dec 18:00 (local time) – Canada versus Morocco
Match 52: Round of 16: Sun, 4th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 60: Quarter-final: Sat,10 Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton; and Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. After the World Cup, 20,000 seats will be removed to make way for a boutique hotel and branch of the world-renowned Aspetar Sports Clinic.
Education City Stadium, Doha (capacity: 45,350)
Located 7km outside of Doha’s city centre, the Education City Stadium – nicknamed “Diamond in the Desert” – spans several university campuses at the Qatar Foundation’s Education City and is inspired by the geometric shapes of traditional Islamic architecture. After the World Cup, 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.
Match 6: Group D: Tue, 22nd Nov 16:00 (local time) – Denmark versus Croatia
Match 14: Group H: Thu, 24th Nov 16:00 (local time) – Uruguay versus South Korea
Match 22: Group C: Sat, 26 Nov 16:00 (local time) – Poland versus Saudi Arabia
Match 30: Group H: Mon, 28th Nov 16:00 (local time) – South Korea versus Ghana
Match 38: Group D: Wed, 30th Nov 18:00 (local time) – Tunisia versus France
Match 46: Group H: Fri, 02nd Dec 18:00 (local time) – South Korea versus Portugal
Match 55: Round of 16: Tue, 06th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 58: Quarter-final: Fri, 09th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: Ezdan Palace; Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel; and The Torch.
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha (capacity: 40,000)
Named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s former Emir, but also known as the National Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium forms part of the Doha Sports City complex that is 10km from the city centre. It has been Qatar’s principal football stadium since 1976 but has had two new dual arches recently added, in preparation for the World Cup. The stadium will also be home to the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
Match 3: Group B – Mon, 21st Nov 16:00 (local time) – England versus Iran
Match 11: Group E – Wed, 23rd Nov 16:00 (local time) – Germany versus Japan
Match 19: Group A: Fri, 25 Nov 19:00 (local time) – Netherlands versus Ecuador
Match 27: Group F: Sun, 27th Nov 19:00 (local time) – Croatia versus Canada
Match 35: Group A: Tue, 29th Nov 18:00 (local time) – Ecuador versus Senegal
Match 43: Group E: Thu, 1st Dec 22:00 (local time) – Japan versus Spain
Match 49: Round of 16: Sat, 03rd Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Match 63: 3rd place: Sat, 17th Dec 18:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: The Torch; Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel; and Al Messila Resort, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha.
Stadium 974, Doha (capacity: 40,000)
Built on the shores of the Gulf with dazzling views of West Bay, Stadium 974 is one of the most intriguing since its a temporary stadium with a modular design and constructed from shipping containers. It is said to use less material to build than traditional stadia, so may serve as a blue print for future developers to follow. The 974 recycled containers pay homage to the site’s industrial history as well as the international dialing code for Qatar (+974). It is the first temporary venue in World Cup history, with the shipping containers and seats being dismantled after the tournament has ended, and provided as assistance to under-developed countries around the world.
Match 7: Group C: Tue, 22nd Nov 19:00 (local time) – Mexico versus Poland
Match 15: Group H: Thu, 24th Nov 19:00 (local time) – Portugal versus Ghana
Match 23: Group D: Sat, 26th Nov 19:00 (local time) – France versus Denmark
Match 31: Group G: Mon, 28th Nov 19:00 (local time) – Brazil versus switzerland
Match 39: Group C: Wed, 30th Nov 22:00 (local time) – Poland versus Argentina
Match 47: Group G: Fri, 02nd Dec 22:00 (local time) – Serbia versus Switzerland
Match 54: Round of 16: Mon, 05th Dec 22:00 (local time) – TBC
Nearby luxury hotels include: Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel; and Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara.
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