The Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, named after a former Emir of Qatar, will be one of eight stadiums to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is located in the city of Al-Rayyan, neighbouring the capital city Doha.
Two football teams currently share the stadium for their home matches: Al-Rayyan SC and Al Kharaitiyat SC.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Background
Initially constructed in 2003 to a capacity of 21,000, the original stadium was demolished in 2015 to create space for the new and improved Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, also known as the Al-Rayyan Stadium.
Construction on the new stadium began in 2016 and finished in 2020, boasting an increased capacity of 40,000. The stadium design is such that fans are shaded from the blistering Qatar heat, creating an improved spectator experience.
The stadium has already seen some football. Prior to the upcoming World Cup, the Ahmad bin Ali stadium was one of two venues that hosted the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup, which was won by Bayern Munich. The stadium also hosted four matches in the 2021 edition of the FIFA Arab Cup.
What matches will the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium host?
There will be seven matches played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, most of these being group stage fixtures.
Wales will play all their group matches here, and Belgium play twice. They are one of the strongest sides that will showcase themselves at the Ahmad bin Ali stadium, along with fellow tournament favourites England.
Group F
23/11/2022
Belgium
Canada
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100Group F
01/12/2022
Croatia
Belgium
STARTS AT
16:00 GMT+0100Group B
25/11/2022
Wales
Iran
STARTS AT
11:00 GMT+0100Group B
29/11/2022
Wales
England
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100Group B
21/11/2022
United States of America
Wales
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100Group E
27/11/2022
Japan
Costa Rica
STARTS AT
11:00 GMT+0100
03/12/2022
Argentina
Australia
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
03/12/2022
Argentina
Australia
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
What will happen to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium after the World Cup?
After the (hopefully spectacular) climax of the World Cup, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will once again be deconstructed, reducing its size back down to 21,000.
The seats and other parts of the arena will be sent to developing countries to help with the creation of other stadiums. Moreover, the rubble from the deconstruction of the original stadium is expected to be repurposed into future art projects.