The planning is nearly over for the organisers of the World Cup, and it will not be long before 32 squads from around the world make their way to Qatar.
France will start the tournament as defending champions, but this year's event looks wide open with the sweltering conditions set to play their part.
Qatar will host the first-ever World Cup in the Arab world and a total of eight stadiums will stage the matches this winter.
| What | World Cup |
| Where | Qatar |
| When | 20th November - 18th December 2022 |
| How to watch | All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV |
| Odds | Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1 |
Where is Al Thumama Stadium?
Al Thumama Stadium is named after its district in Qatar.
Al Thumama is a district in Doha and it is one of the five sites for the government-sponsored project to develop reservoirs in the country. It is primarily a residential district and the stadium will have good access to Hamad International Airport.
When was Al Thumama Stadium built?
The Al Thumama Stadium is one of eight purpose-built stadiums for this year's tournament and workers broke ground in 2017.
When was Al Thumama Stadium opened?
After five years of construction, the stadium was officially opened on October 22nd 2021, in time to host the final of the 2021 Emir Cup.
Key stadium details:
| Stadium name: | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Where: | Al Thumama, Doha |
| Tenants: | N/A |
| Capacity: | 40,000 |
| Opening date: | October 22nd 2021 |
What is the capacity of Al Thumama Stadium?
The Al Thumama Stadium has a capacity of 40,000 ahead of this year's World Cup, meaning it is one of the smallest arenas.
Three of the eight venues will have a capacity of 40,000, including the Al Janoub Stadium and Stadium 974.
How big is the pitch at Al Thumama Stadium?
The field dimensions at the Al Thumama Stadium have been listed as 101 x 68 metres. The field of play will be slightly smaller than the pitches at Stadium 974 and the Al Janoub Stadium, which measure at 105 x 68 metres.
Who plays at Al Thumama Stadium?
No team have officially claimed the rights to play at Al Thumama Stadium, with the event built specifically for the World Cup.
What World Cup matches will be played at Al Thumama Stadium?
| Date | Match number | Group | Team 1 | Team 2 | KO time | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21st November | 3 | A | Senegal | v | Netherlands | 19:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 23rd November | 11 | E | Spain | v | Costa Rica | 19:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 25th November | 18 | A | Qatar | v | Senegal | 16:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 27th November | 26 | F | Belgium | v | Morocco | 16:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 29th November | 36 | B | Iran | v | United States | 22:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 1st December | 42 | F | Canada | v | Morocco | 18:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 4th December | 51 | Round of 16 | Winners Group D | v | Runners-up Group C | 18:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 10th December | 59 | Quarter-finals | Winners match 55 | v | Winners match 56 | 18:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
What other major events have taken place at Al Thumama Stadium?
The venue hosted the final of the Emir Cup in 2021, while six matches of the FIFA Arab Cup also took place at the stadium.
Once the World Cup is over, the capacity of the stadium will be reduced to 20,000 as workers plan to remove the top tier. A sports clinic and a hotel are then to be built on the site.
While it is at full capacity, it promises to be one of the most iconic venues of the World Cup due to its circular design, which has been inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven cap that is worn by men across the Middle East.
Discover more from the world's favourite online betting brand
Latest sports betting and odds
Head to the bet365 YouTube channel for exclusive football content
Related Articles
Soccer
World Cup: Stadium Guide
As the World Cup edges ever closer, we take a look at all eight stadiums that will play host to the action in Qatar this winter.
bet365 News Team
Nov 22 2022
