The Al Bayt Stadium is primed and ready for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as it’s set to host the first match of the tournament.
The second largest stadium at the 2022 edition of the World Cup, it is located in Al Khor, 35km north of Doha.
Al Bayt Stadium Background
The Al Bayt Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 and its architecture is awe-inducing.
The design was inspired by traditional tents of the nomadic people of Qatar and the surrounding regions, drawing on cultural references to radiate a wonderful celebration of Qatari culture.
Al Bayt will feature a number of transportation links, with on-site parking and shuttle buses, and even water taxis! These small boats are a much more environmentally friendly way of bringing spectators to the stadium.
There will also be a retractable roof to accommodate for any extreme or unwanted climate conditions.
What matches will the Al Bayt Stadium host?
Its large size means the Al Bayt Stadium will have the honour of hosting knockout phase games, including a semi-final, as well as a number of group stage matches.
In total, the Al Bayt Stadium will host nine matches and will feature some heavyweight teams, including England, Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. The hosts Qatar also play two matches here, so expect this arena to draw big crowds.
Group A
20/11/2022
Qatar
Ecuador
STARTS AT
17:00 GMT+0100Group F
23/11/2022
Morocco
Croatia
STARTS AT
11:00 GMT+0100Group B
25/11/2022
England
United States of America
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100Group E
27/11/2022
Spain
Germany
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100Group A
29/11/2022
Netherlands
Qatar
STARTS AT
16:00 GMT+0100Group E
01/12/2022
Costa Rica
Germany
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
04/12/2022
England
Senegal
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
04/12/2022
England
Senegal
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
10/12/2022
England
France
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
10/12/2022
England
France
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
14/12/2022
France
Morocco
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
14/12/2022
France
Morocco
STARTS AT
20:00 GMT+0100
What will happen to the Al Bayt Stadium after the World Cup?
After the conclusion of the World Cup, the Al Bayt Stadium is set to be reduced to a 32,000-capacity arena. The upper tier will be deconstructed, with the unwanted seats being given to other countries or reused for the facilities in the upcoming 2030 Asian Games.
The excess space in the immediate vicinity will be used for upmarket hotels and shopping centres. More sports facilities will be included, and it is thought that local sporting club Al Khor SC will transition their home ground to the newly reduced stadium.