Al Arabi face Al Rayyan in Week 2 of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League. The kick-off is at 19:40 at the new Lusail Stadium on Thursday, 11th August, 2022.

The venue of this match itself speaks for its significance. It will also be the first match to be played at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final venue – Lusail Stadium.

Fireworks can be expected not only for the new stadium, but also during the match as the importance of the occasion will bring out the best from the players.

A victory would be something to cherish and players of both Al Arabi and Al Rayyan would be looking to make this a memorable one in this exceptional season of QNB Stars League.

Al Arabi (The Dream Team), who finished fourth last season, have already made a winning start by prevailing over Qatar SC 2-0 in the first round. Al Rayyan (The Lions) were beaten 1-0 by Al Shamal in the opening round, but the eight-times league champions will be sure to roar back.

The Dream Team, under coach Younes Ali, has been further reinforced with the addition of foreign professionals.

The Lions have some worries with injury to their Qatari defender Ahmed Yasser Al Mohammedi. And while the coach would look for someone to step up for him, he has a formidable line-up in Yohan Boli, Steven Nzonzi and Tameem Al Abdullah among others.

Whatever the final combination of the line-ups, the match will see players being spurred on by the occasion and the presence of a strong crowd.

Certainly, the confrontation will be strong and very exciting both in the stands and inside the green rectangle, worthy of being top of this round.

This match is a rehearsal for the World Cup. The giant edifice, which is one of the most prominent stadiums in the world with great engineering, joins the other 2022 World Cup stadiums which are ready and fully equipped, namely: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.

The exciting contest between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan will highlight the readiness and glorious magnificence of the Lusail Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the entity responsible for implementing infrastructure projects to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, had recently announced that Lusail Stadium (the largest of the eight tournament stadiums), will also host the Lusail Super Cup match between the Saudi League champions and Egyptian League champions, followed by a concert, on the 9th of September.

Lusail Stadium’s design has been inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the traditional Arab lighthouse or lantern. Its shape and facade echo the intricate decorative motifs on bowls, vessels and other art pieces found across the Arab and Islamic world during the rise of civilisation in the region.