The winter World Cup has finally arrived with Qatar in hosting mode as fans from across the globe descend on the Gulf State.

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The tournament has been shrouded in controversy since FIFA announced the tournament would be heading to the Middle Eastern nation due to the country's human rights record.

Doha and surrounding areas have been radically overhauled since winning the bid, with state-of-the-art stadiums rising from the ground to host matches.

There are only five host cities, with eight stadiums littered between them, including half of them being situated around the Doha area.

RadioTimes.com has rounded up all the facts about the Qatar World Cup stadiums for the 2022 tournament.

For more World Cup features check out: World Cup 2022 TV schedule | World Cup 2022 kits ranked | Best players at the World Cup | Best teams at the World Cup

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Lusail Iconic Stadium Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy

City: Lusail
Capacity: 80,000

The centrepiece, the main stage, the headline acts, the very heart of it all. The Lusail Iconic Stadium will host the 2022 World Cup final.

Al Bayt Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Al Bayt Stadium Getty Images

City: Al Khor
Capacity: 60,000

It all gets underway at the Al Bayt Stadium in November 2022. The opening match of the tournament will be held here including an inevitably glitzy opening ceremony.

Stadium 974

City: Doha
Capacity: 40,000

The new design for this stadium will incorporate a number of shipping containers and reusable elements. The stadium will only ever host six competitive games before it is entirely dismantled and re-used in other projects.

Al Thumama Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Al Thumama Stadium Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy

City: Doha
Capacity: 40,000

The stadium has been constructed to represent the gahfiya, a traditional woven cap worn by men across the Middle East.

Education City Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Education City Stadium Getty Images

City: Al Rayyan
Capacity: 45,350

Following the conclusion of the tournament, 20,000 seats will be removed and donated to developing nations as they seek to build impressive football arenas.

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Getty Images

City: Al Rayyan
Capacity: 44,740

The surrounding facilities will incorporate a number of sand dune-shaped structures that signify the desert landscape around the ground and Qatar itself.

Khalifa International Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Khalifa International Stadium Getty Images

City: Al Rayyan
Capacity: 40,000

The Khalifa International Stadium is a long-standing stadium, relatively speaking, and has undergone several makeovers since breaking ground in 1975.

Al Janoub Stadium

Qatar World Cup stadiums 2022
Al Janoub Stadium Getty Images

City: Al Wakrah
Capacity: 40,000

It says a lot that you can build a stadium that looks as futuristic as this and only use it for one knockout game – a Round of 16 tie at that.

Check out our World Cup hub for all the latest from Qatar 2022, including match previews, predictions and analysis.

If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Sport hub.

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