Image by Ben Koorengevel
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is still six months away, but the final preparations are underway so that the stadiums and infrastructure are ready in time for the first games to kick off in November.
The tournament is the biggest competition in football, with 32 nations coming together to compete for the title of being the best team on the planet. Whoever wins will go down in history among footballing royalty like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain.
Being the biggest and most prestigious tournament in the sport, it should come as no surprise that it is a huge deal for the businesses that help to make the event what it is. This includes the sponsors that help to fund the entire thing, the broadcasters that let us see the games at home, and the logistics businesses involved in ferrying tons of cargo and thousands of people to the event.
The sports betting industry also sees an uptick in business in the lead up to each World Cup as fans look to make predictions on which teams will perform well. That’s why, as we get closer to kick-off, comparison sites like
OddsChecker, that list free bets and bonuses offered by sportsbooks, will begin to show World Cup-specific promotions as the bookies gear up to meet this increased demand.
With the clock ticking down, much of the focus is on the unusual scheduling of this year’s World Cup, the teams taking part, which players are likely to be called up, and who is likely to win. But it’s worth also taking a look at the World Cup stadiums, especially as some are particularly unique
Lusail Iconic Stadium
The Lusail Iconic Stadium is the largest of the eight being used in Qatar, seating 80,000 spectators. Designed by Foster + Partners, it has a round and modern design and, although open air, will be cooled using solar power, making it carbon neutral.
Lusail will host the World Cup final before being reconfigured to be used as a community hub, retail center, health care facility, and sports ground.
Image by Rhett Lewis
Stadium 974
Stadium 974 is an entirely temporary structure designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects and has been designed to be filled with symbolism that represents Qatar.
It is
constructed from 974 shipping containers, the same number as the country’s international dialing code. These containers are all styled in different colors, created a unique finish that’s unlike any other stadium on the planet.
It will be deconstructed after the tournament, with the containers and materials used for other projects.
Al Bayt Stadium
Al Bayt Stadium is another unique stadium that has a design unlike any other on the planet. Styled to look like a large tent, the designers have taken inspiration from the Nomadic peoples that once wondered the Middle East.
The effect has been achieved by using polytetrafluoroethylene woven fiberglass and styled in black, red, and white, to match the traditional fabric tents that were constructed in the deserts.
The structure also houses a hotel with suites that overlook the pitch, destined to offer a great view on match days.
Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium is the only one of the eight to have existed before Qatar was awarded the rights to host the World Cup.
Seating just over 45,000 people, it will see eight games including the third-place playoff match after the semi-finals.
Originally constructed in 1976, it has already hosted international matches, including the FIFA Club World Cup final back in 2019, but has been given a major overhaul for the 2022 tournamen
Al Janoub Stadium
The Al Janoub Stadium is another that has been designed with inspiration from the local area in mind.
Seating 40,000 fans, the facility is shaped like the hull of a ship, referencing the large amount of sea traffic that heads in and out of Qatar every single day.
Completed in 2019, it’s already hosted several games, including the 2020 Asian Champions League final, helping to iron out any kinks before its needed for the World Cup.