The World Cup in Qatar will be a unique moment of the 21st century when the biggest show in the world enters a new territory.
The Middle East will get an opportunity to showcase the best of its culture, hospitality and technology. As fans and players from across the globe land in Qatar, the region's reputation as a major sporting destination will be established once and for all.
The football carnival begins on November 20, with the final at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Matches will be held at eight venues across the country. The other seven venues are Stadium 974, Al Thumama Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan), Education City Stadium, and the Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah).
As we build up towards the World Cup, we look at each of the eight venues that will host teams and fans during the month-long football carnival.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
The 40,000 capacity venue has a distinct design philosophy that sets it apart from the other seven venues of the World Cup. The older stadium was demolished in 2015 and a new structure was built with the aim of celebrating Gulf heritage.
And nothing is more Middle East than the desert. The venue has clear desert motif, including dune-shaped hospitality areas and merchandise stalls.
Fans will be protected from the elements by a lightweight canopy and advanced cooling systems - which is a standard feature at all World Cup venues in Qatar.
After the tournament, half of the stadium's seating will be donated to football development projects overseas.
World Cup 2022 fixtures at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Monday, November 21: Group B, USA v Wales (11pm UAE time)
Wednesday, November 23: Group F, Belgium v Canada (11pm)
Friday, November 25: Group B, Wales v Iran (2pm)
Sunday, November 27: Group E, Japan v Costa Rica (2pm)
Tuesday, November 29: Group B, Wales v England (11pm)
Thursday, December 1: Group F, Croatia v Belgium (7pm)
Round of 16
Saturday, December 3: Match 50, Group C winner v Group D runner-up (11pm)
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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