Qatar is internet hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2023 for the third time, and the continental event might be unfold throughout 9 stadiums within the FIFA World Cup 2022 host nation.
Soccer followers will watch 24 groups compete for the trophy with the primary match going down on January 12 at Lusail Stadium. Seven World Cup stadiums and two different soccer stadiums are getting used for the occasion.
Here’s a have a look at the venues:
1. Lusail Stadium
Capability: 88,000
Inauguration: September 2022
Location: Lusail Metropolis
Lusail Stadium is the largest event venue for the Asian Cup and can host the opening ceremony, the primary match – being performed between Lebanon and Qatar – and the ultimate of the event on February 10.
In-built Lusail, a deliberate metropolis for 200,000 individuals 15km (9 miles) north of central Doha, the stadium noticed Lionel Messi carry Argentina’s third World Cup trophy just a little over a yr in the past.
2. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Capability: 45,032
Inauguration: December 2020
Location: Al Rayyan
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is called after a former emir of Qatar and can host seven matches of the event, together with a quarterfinal and a semifinal.
The stadium’s design is supposed to replicate a tent within the desert. It was constructed on the location of an outdated stadium, greater than 90 p.c of which was reused or recycled. The venue was inaugurated on December 18, 2020, for the ultimate of the Amir Cup, a Qatari males’s soccer event.
3. Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Capability: 10,000
Inauguration: February 2013
Location: Doha
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium is situated in Duhail, a district of Doha. It should host six group stage matches and one spherical of 16 knockout sport.
In contrast to a lot of the different venues, it didn’t host any World Cup matches, however it has witnessed a number of home cup finals in addition to the ultimate for the AFC under-23 event in 2016. Additionally it is thought of house to the Qatar Stars League’s Al-Duhail crew.
4. Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Capability: 13,030
Inauguration: 2010 (renovated)
Location: Al Rayyan
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium was first inaugurated in 1975 and went via renovations in 2004 and 2010. Within the 2014-2015 soccer season, the venue witnessed the Italian Supercoppa between Napoli and Juventus.
On the Asian Cup, the venue will host six group stage matches and one spherical of 16 knockout sport. In 2011, it additionally hosted matches for the AFC Asian Cup, together with a quarterfinal.
5. Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
Capability: 45,857
Inauguration: Could 2017
Location: Doha
Khalifa Worldwide Stadium was the primary tournament-ready venue for Qatar 2022. For the Asian Cup, it can host six matches, together with a spherical of 16 conflict.
In-built 1976, it’s considered one of Qatar’s oldest stadiums and went via upgrades after Qatar gained the World Cup bid. Its seating capability was elevated from 20,000 to greater than 45,000.
6. Training Metropolis Stadium
Capability: 44,667
Inauguration: June 2020
Location: Training Metropolis
Training Metropolis Stadium was inaugurated in June 2020 throughout a digital occasion that paid tribute to front-line healthcare staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It should host matches as much as and together with the quarterfinals.
The venue is located amongst college campuses simply to the west of Doha and is reachable by metro.
7. Al Janoub Stadium
Capability: 44,325
Inauguration: Could 2019
Location: Al Wakrah
Al Janoub Stadium will host matches as much as and together with a quarterfinal throughout the Asian Cup. It was the primary Qatar 2022 event venue to be constructed from scratch and has performed host to essential matches such because the 2020 AFC Champions League ultimate and 6 matches of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021.
Situated south of Doha within the metropolis of Al Wakrah, the stadium’s design was impressed by conventional boats used for pearl diving and fishing. It was designed by the late, famend architect Zaha Hadid.
8. Al Bayt Stadium
Capability: 68,895
Inauguration: November 2021
Location: Al Khor
Al Bayt Stadium is about to host 4 matches throughout the Asian Cup – two group phases, one spherical of 16 and a quarterfinal. On the World Cup, the stadium witnessed the semifinal between France and Morocco and the opening sport between Qatar and Ecuador.
It’s constructed within the type of a Bedouin tent and located on Qatar’s northeastern coast about 35km (22 miles) from Doha.
9. Al Thumama Stadium
Capability: 44,400
Inauguration: October 2021
Location: Doha
Al Thumama Stadium is about to host matches as much as and together with the semifinals. In 2022, it hosted eight World Cup matches, together with the quarterfinal by which Morocco defeated Portugal.
Located south of central Doha near Hamad Worldwide Airport, the stadium is constructed within the type of a gahfiya, the standard cap worn by males throughout the Center East.