Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, known locally as Al-Rayyan Stadium, is one of eight different stadiums in Qatar that was converted for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The original stadium was built back in 2003, but was demolished in 2015, making way for the Al Rayyan Stadium that stands today. Roughly 90% of the rubble that came from the demolition was re-used for the new stadium project or for other public art.  

The stadium will hold 44,740 people for World Cup matches, but that will be reduced to roughly 21,000 seats after the World Cup is over. 

One of the cool features of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is that it has what’s known as a “media façade,” which includes a big screen that will project news, sports updates, and current information about the World Cup and the matches.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Matches

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will host seven matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It starts with the United States vs. Wales in Group B on November 21. Two days later, it will host Belgium vs. Canada in Group F on November 23. On November 25, the stadium will host Wales vs. Iran in Group B.

Other group matches at the stadium include Japan vs. Costa Rica (Group E) on November 27, Wales vs. England (Group B) on November 29, and Croatia vs. Belgium (Group F) on December 1.

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will also host a Round of 16 match on December 3 between the winner of Group C and the runner-up in Group D.