Al Rayyan Stadium at the 2022 World Cup: what matches will be played here?

Created: 01/11/2022 13:34

The al-Rayyan Stadium in Qatar also hosts World Cup matches from the German group.

© IMAGO/Eurasia Sport Images/MiS

The al-Rayyan Stadium in the city of the same name is officially called Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and is the home of al-Rayyan SC outside of the 2022 World Cup.

Doha - Within sight of the magnificent Palace of Qatar rises the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, named after the former Emir of Qatar, also known simply as the al-Rayyan Stadium due to its location in the city of the same name.

The impressive new building was erected within a few years and impresses with its spectacular facade.

The geometric, interlocking patterns are meant to symbolize different aspects of the country: the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, the native flora and fauna, and local and international trade.

al-Rayyan Stadium: background to the new building for the 2022 World Cup

The first al-Rayyan Stadium was built in 2003 for the two Qatari football teams al-Rayyan Sports Club and al-Kharitiyat Sports Club.

Founded in 1967, al-Rayyan SC is one of the Emirates' most successful sports clubs and the football department has won the country's championship eight times.

While the stadium's 21,282 seats were adequate for domestic league operations, they did not comply with FIFA regulations, which require a minimum capacity of 40,000 for international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup.

Qatar therefore decided to completely demolish the old al-Rayyan Stadium and to replace it with a new building for the 2022 World Cup.

Like its predecessor, this stadium again bears the name of Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani, who ruled as Emir of Qatar from 1960 to 1972.

After the World Cup, the number of seats will be reduced again to 21,000.

Sustainability is key

Qatar has committed itself to sustainability for the 2022 World Cup.

After the old stadium was demolished, more than 80 percent of the building material was recycled and reused in the new building.

Even the trees that had to be removed during the construction work are to be planted again later.

The al-Rayyan Stadium is connected to the Doha subway, allowing football fans to travel to the World Cup games in an environmentally friendly way using public transport.

There are also bicycle lanes and sidewalks for easier movement.

How many seats does al-Rayyan Stadium have?

The new al-Rayyan Stadium was officially opened on Qatar National Day on December 18, 2020 and has already served as a venue during the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 and the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 with its new 40,000 seat capacity.

For the 2022 World Cup, the seating plan has been divided into three price categories, with the cheapest seats behind the goals.

also read

World Cup 2022: Germany's national team in Qatar - squad, successes, information

TV broadcast schedule for the 2022 World Cup: Where can the games be seen and when?

al-Rayyan Stadium: Information about the 2022 World Cup

Like all stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, the al-Rayyan Stadium is fully air-conditioned.

Seven games are planned.

The times are local time in Qatar.

In Germany it is two hours earlier.

• November 21, 10 p.m.: USA-Wales

• November 23, 10 p.m.: Belgium-Canada

• 25 November, 1pm: Wales v Iran

• November 27, 1 p.m.: Japan-Costa Rica

• November 29, 10pm: Wales v England

• December 1, 6 p.m.: Croatia – Belgium

• December 3, 10 p.m.: Round of 16

al-Rayyan Stadium: scandals and controversies

Like all stadiums built or remodeled for the 2022 World Cup, al-Rayyan Stadium has been hit by controversy over the treatment of foreign construction workers.

There were scandals about accommodation in unhygienic mass accommodation, unpaid wages and long working days without sufficient breaks at outside temperatures of up to 50 °C.