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Qatar 2022 venue to stage World Cup play-offs

Qatar’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, one of the host venues for this year’s FIFA World Cup, has been selected to stage the intercontinental play-off matches that will determine the final two teams to take part in the tournament.

The first play-off will take place on June 13 between Peru and Australia or the UAE, before Costa Rica takes on New Zealand the following day. Both matches will kick off at 9pm local time.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium opened on December 18, 2020 when it staged the Amir Cup final and the venue recently hosted four matches during the FIFA Arab Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 and is located in Al Rayyan.

The venue is set to stage six group-stage matches and one round-of-16 fixture during the World Cup. The winner of the Peru vs Australia/UAE play-off will head into Group D alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia, while the winner of Costa Rica vs New Zealand will join Spain, Germany and Japan in Group E.

There is still one remaining European play-off, with Wales set to face either Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff on June 5. The semi-final between Scotland and Ukraine has been postponed following a request from the Ukrainian FA after the country’s invasion by Russia.

Costa Rica or New Zealand will return to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 27 to face Japan. The final European qualifier will play its three group-stage matches (against England, USA and Iran) at the stadium, with the venue also set to host Belgium’s games against Canada and Croatia.

The World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18. The opening match will see Senegal take on the Netherlands at Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, while the final will be held at Lusail Stadium.

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