• A visitor takes a photograph at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. The stadium will be a venue for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later in the year. Bloomberg
    A visitor takes a photograph at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. The stadium will be a venue for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later in the year. Bloomberg
  • A worker passes by the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha that will host the World Cup later this year. Bloomberg
    A worker passes by the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha that will host the World Cup later this year. Bloomberg
  • Artificial lighting apparatus on the pitch at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
    Artificial lighting apparatus on the pitch at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Air conditioning vents under spectator seats at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
    Air conditioning vents under spectator seats at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Pitch-side signage and barriers next to the pitch at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Bloomberg
    Pitch-side signage and barriers next to the pitch at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Bloomberg
  • Pitch-side air conditioning vents at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
    Pitch-side air conditioning vents at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Workers outside the metro station serving the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
    Workers outside the metro station serving the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Green space outside the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar. Bloomberg
    Green space outside the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar. Bloomberg

Sport

Football

Al Thumama Stadium in pristine condition for Qatar World Cup 2022 - in pictures

Venue's design draws inspiration from traditional gahfiya cap

Ajit Vijaykumar

June 22, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The World Cup 2022 in Qatar is about five months away. All 32 teams who will fight it out for the biggest prize in football have also been finalised, with Costa Rica clinching the last spot after defeating 10-man New Zealand 1-0 in their intercontinental play-off.

The focus of the teams and their supporters is now on the main tournament, with the venues the centre of attention in what will be the first World Cup in the Middle East.

Each venue in the country has a unique tale behind it. Like the 974 Stadium. The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, as it is officially known, has a capacity of 40,000 and is basically a 'pop-up' stadium built out of shipping containers on Doha's waterfront.

The Al Thumama Stadium continues the trend of innovation. The 40,000-capacity stadium has been designed keeping tradition in mind. The stadium resembles a gahfiya, which is the cap worn underneath a ghutra.

With heat always a concern in the region, every seat has air conditioning vents below it throughout the stadium, which is a salient feature at all venues at the World Cup.

The 80,000-capacity Losail Stadium is the main venue for the World Cup and will host the final on December 18. The other locations for the showpiece event are the Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Education City Stadium, and the Al Janoub Stadium.

Eight venues of Qatar World Cup 2022 and their capacity

  • Stadium 974 in Doha that will host matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. It has a capacity of 40,000. AFP
    Stadium 974 in Doha that will host matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup. It has a capacity of 40,000. AFP
  • The Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Khalifa International Stadium. AFP
    The Khalifa International Stadium. AFP
  • The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 45,000. AFP
    The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 45,000. AFP
  • The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. AFP
    The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. AFP
  • The Lusail Stadium is around 20 km north of Doha. Capacity: 80,000. AFP
    The Lusail Stadium is around 20 km north of Doha. Capacity: 80,000. AFP
  • The Lusail Stadium in Qatar. AFP
    The Lusail Stadium in Qatar. AFP
  • The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Capacity: 60,000. AFP
    The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Capacity: 60,000. AFP
  • The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. AFP
    The Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. AFP
  • The Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
    The Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Capacity: 40,000. AFP
  • The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 44,000. AFP
    The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. Capacity: 44,000. AFP
  • The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. AFP
    The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. AFP
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Updated: August 17, 2022, 10:51 AM
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