World Cup 2022 stadiums: The 8 venues in use for controversial Qatar tournament

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just 373 days away.

The controversial tournament will take place from November 21 - December 18 next year in order to avoid Qatar's stifling summer heat, which averages more than 41 degrees Celsius.

FIFA have also squeezed the tournament into just 28 days as a result of being sandwiched in between the middle of the season for most leagues.

Several new stadiums have either been built or upgraded specifically for the tournament, although there have been tragic consequences involved.

In February, The Guardian reported on the shocking treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, with 6,500 believed to have died since the country was awarded the World Cup 10 years ago, and at least 37 of those linked to the building of the stadiums.

Qatar's shocking human rights record has prompted several protests in the decade since they were awarded the tournament, which will feature eight stadiums across five cities for the 28-day event

But as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup for the first-ever time, Mirror Football takes a look at all eight venues in use for the tournament.

Lusail Iconic Stadium - Capacity: 80,000

The biggest tournament venue for the World Cup.

The stadium will host the final as well as a semi-final, a quarter-final, and a whole host of other matches throughout the tournament.

The Lusail Iconic Stadium is based in Lusail City, a planned city located 14 miles north of the country's capital Doha.

The stadium was officially opened last month, but will be reduced to just a 20,000-seat seater after the World Cup, with several parts of the ground repurposed into shops, café, education facilities and a health clinic.

Al Bayt Stadium - Capacity: 60,000

The Al Bayt Stadium will get the tournament underway on November 21 when Qatar will play one of their group opponents which, of course, is yet to be decided.

The stadium will host nine matches in total and is the other chosen venue for the semi-final.

Al Bayt's design is inspired by the 'bayt al sha'ar' - which are tents historically used by nomadic people in Qatar and the wider Gulf region.

Which of these stadium venues is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section.

Like many of the other stadiums, the capacity is scheduled to be reduced to 32,000 upon the conclusion of the World Cup.

Al Khor - where the stadium is based - is a coastal city with a population of just over 30,000.

Education City Stadium - Capacity: 45,350

Known as the 'Diamond in the Desert', the stadium's facade features triangles, which form a diamond-like pattern said to change colour with the sun's movement.

Set in the heart of Qatar's education and research hub, Education City will host matches up until the quarter-final stage.

Education City is situated in Al Rayyan, the third-largest municipality in Qatar with an estimated population of more than 600,000.

Capacity will be cut in half post-tournament, with the upper-tier removed.

Al Rayyan Stadium - Capacity: 40,000

Originally opened in 2003, the former Ahmed bin Ali Stadium was demolished in 2015 to make way for the new stadium.

The stadium was inaugurated on December 18, 2020 to mark two years until the World Cup final and was subsequently used as one of the two venues for the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.

The stadium is home to Al-Rayyan Sports Club and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club, who compete in the first and second division respectively.

Al Rayyan will host group stage matches and one round of 16 contest.

Ras Abu Aboud Stadium - Capacity: 40,000

The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will make history when it becomes the first-ever temporary venue in World Cup history.

Ras Abu Aboud's structure is quirkily centred around modified shipping containers.

It is the first of three stadiums located within Qatar's capital, and most populous city.

Like the Al-Rayyan Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud will also be used up until the round of 16.

Al Thumama Stadium - Capacity: 40,000

The stadium's design is said to be an embodiment of Arab culture and heritage.

It closely resembles the 'gahfiya', a traditional woven cap worn by those in Qatar.

The stadium takes its name from the Al Thumama tree, which is commonly found throughout the region.

Al Thumama will host matches until the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.

Khalifa International Stadium - Capacity: 40,000

The Khalifa International Stadium was the first venue to be ready for the tournament, after being revamped and inaugurated in 2017.

The stadium will host a range of matches, including the third-place play-off.

Also known as National Stadium, it has played host to the Qatar national teams games since 1975.

Al Janoub Stadium - Capacity: 40,000

Located in the southern city of Al Wakrah, Al Janoub is another new stadium.

Al Wakrah is famous for its pearl diving and fishing history, and the traditional boats used by locals to carry out these pursuits are behind the stadium's design.

The stadium will play host to games up until the round of 16.

Al-Wakrah Sport Club of the Qatar Sports League play their home matches here.