World Cup 2022: Al Thumama Stadium’s cultural significance, capacity and fixtures

The Fifa World Cup 2022 is set to be a gamechanger for the sporting world and the Gulf region.

The first World Cup finals in the Middle East will give football fans a peek into the culture and lifestyle of the region and also allow Qatar to show their ability to host a major tournament.

The football carnival will begin on November 20 and the final will take place at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.

Matches will be held at eight venues across the country. The other seven venues are Stadium 974, Al Thumama Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan), Education City Stadium, and the Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah).

As we build up towards the World Cup, we look at each of the eight venues that host teams and fans from all over the world.

Al Thumama Stadium

One look at the Al Thumama Stadium and you know exactly what the inspiration is behind the design. Celebrating one of the most ubiquitous parts of Arab culture, the the stadium resembles a traditional gahfiya, which is the cap worn underneath a ghutra.

The tournament's website says that "in symbolising Qatar's youth, Al Thumama Stadium also points to the country's emergence as a major player on the global sporting scene".

Organisers have plans in place to use the facility - which has a capacity of 40,000 - long after the tournament winds up. According to them, the stadium's capacity will be reduced to meet local needs. The remaining 20,000-seat arena is set to be used for football and other sporting events. Also, a sports clinic and a boutique hotel at the venue are also in the pipeline.

As is the case at every venue, air-conditioned vents have been placed throughout the ground to maintain optimal environment inside the stadium.

World Cup 2022 fixtures at Al Thumama Stadium

Monday, November 21: Group A, Senegal v Netherlands (8pm UAE)

Wednesday, November 23: Group E, Spain v Costa Rica (8pm)

Friday, November 25: Group A, Qatar v Senegal (5pm)

Sunday, November 27: Group F, Belgium v Morocco (5pm)

Tuesday, November 29: Group B, Iran v USA (11pm)

Thursday, December 1: Group F, Canada v Morocco (7pm)

Round of 16

Sunday, December 4: Match 52, Group D winner v Group C runner-up (7pm)

Quarter-finals

Saturday, December 10: Match 60, Match 55 winner v Match 56 winner (7pm)

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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.