All you need to know about India's 2022 World Cup qualifiers venue

The Blue Tigers will be facing Qatar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in June.

One of the most iconic stadiums in Qatar, the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium will host India in their three remaining 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Igor Stimac’s men will face heavyweights Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7 and Afghanistan on June 15 respectively. The venue is a multi-purpose stadium with state of the art facilities.

The venue will decide the fate of India’s Group E matches of the World Cup qualifiers where they could make or break their ambitions. The team has a lot left to play for and they must get acquainted with the stadium which will be their home for the next three games.

Having said that, here is a look at the venue - it’s facilities, the clubs it hosts and what could it have in store for the fans of Indian football and Asia in general:

Introduction

The Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium is a multi-purpose arena situated in Doha, Qatar. While football is the main utility of the venue, it can also host athletic events. The estimated capacity that it can hold is around 13,000. Built originally in 1974, the arena saw renovation in 2004 for the Gulf Cup. More renovation took place later in 2009/10 which further elevated the status and facilities of the venue. The playing surface consists of natural grass which is suitable for a passing and possession-based game. 

The hosts

The prestigious venue is home to the Qatari national football team. Moreover, teams like Al Sadd and Al Rayyan play their home matches here in the Qatar Stars League. Al Sadd finished atop the league table in the 2020/21 QSL campaign, accumulating 60 points across 22 games. They did not lose a single game across the season, winning 11 of their 13 home fixtures. To say Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium is a fortress would be an understatement.

Al Rayyan finished third in the league with 35 points. The outfit won six of their overall home games. The venue sees a lot of goals scored as well, with Al Sadd netting an incredible 45 in 13 games and Al Rayyan scoring 16 in 13 fixtures. 

National Team

The Qatari national football team is undefeated at home in the last four fixtures. They secured victories against Bangladesh, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in international friendlies and their last game against Ireland ended in a 1-1 stalemate. 

India played Qatar in the reverse World Cup Qualifiers fixture at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The Blue Tigers held the hosts to a goalless draw in 2019. The Blue Tigers will be hoping to replicate their sensational performance in the previous clash when they meet on June 3. Qatar has a number of players from Al Sadd, who play at the venue for their home fixtures in the QSL, a fact which will play in their favour. 

Competitions Hosted

Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium has played host to a lot of prestigious matches. The stadium has witnessed several high-profile tournaments, including the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The final of the 15th Asian Games football event was held here. The tournament saw Qatar defeat favourites Iraq and clinch the gold medal.  

Qatar Stars League matches are also played at the stadium as teams like Al Sadd and Al Rayyan use it for home fixtures. 

Qatar national football team play their home games here. The stadium will play host to the upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Back in 2014, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium also hosted the Supercoppa Italiana. The match between Juventus and Napoli saw the latter emerge as victors on penalties. 

The venue also hosted the 2016 Supercoppa Italiana involving Serie A & Coppa Italia winners Juventus and Coppa Italia runner-ups AC Milan. The Old Lady lost the game again on penalties to the Rossoneri. 

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