The 2022 World Cup is almost upon us, and some of you might already be excited to start planning your trip to Qatar. This will be the fifth consecutive World Cup appearance for the Socceroos after Graham Arnold’s men managed to clinch qualification against Peru in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Australia has been drawn in Group D, where they will face France, Denmark, and Tunisia. All group stage matches will be hosted in the beautiful city of Al Wakrah, around 30 minutes from the capital city of Doha.

At the 2018 World Cup, Australia was also placed in a group with France and Denmark, where they lost 2-1 and drew 1-1, respectively. Most FIFA World Cup betting sites aren’t giving Australia the best of chances. Nevertheless, suppose they are one of the two teams from Group D to advance. In that case, they will face a team from Group C, which contains Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland.

For those making the journey and still unfamiliar with the city of Al Wakrah, this guide should serve as a terrific starting point! Here are some helpful tips on what to expect when visiting Al Wakrah:

About Al Wakrah and Al Janoub Stadium

Al Wakrah is a city in the State of Qatar. It is a new city, with a population of just under 100,000. Al Wakrah is also famous for being a tourist destination, and as such, it has strong culture and traditions.

Al Janoub Stadium was built on the former Al Wakrah Sports Club site, which was demolished in May 2018. It has a capacity of 40,000 people and was the first one built in Qatar since its World Cup bid victory in 2010. The stadium has been designed with both modern and traditional architecture to blend seamlessly into the environment.

Getting There

Al Wakrah is located about 15km from Doha Airport and can be reached by taxi, bus (757), shared taxi, and metro (red line). The latter may be the most efficient of the bunch, operating from 6 am to 11 pm on Saturdays through Wednesdays. On Thursdays, the metro runs from 6 am to midnight; on Fridays, it runs from 2 pm to midnight.

What to See and Do

Al Wakrah is a small but growing city. There are plenty of attractions to see and things to do, including:

• Souq Al Wakrah: Al Wakrah Old Souq is a maze of alleyways that lead to the beach. While Souq Waqif may be more popular, this one is still worth a visit, even if it’s just to eat at one of the eateries or coffee shops along the coast. There are a variety of shops selling everything from dates and honey to nuts, spices, fish, handicrafts and marine equipment. For anyone looking for a quick photo op, this is a great location.
• Abu Manaratain Mosque: Within the confines of the Old Souq can be found the Abu Manaratain Mosque, considered one of the oldest and most prestigious mosques in the municipality. Fun Fact: According to AFAR, the mosque’s name, “Manaratain,” means it should have two minarets; however, there is only one minaret present.
• Port Al-Wakrah: Fishermen have long flocked to the waters around Port Al Wakrah to cast their nets, with the area having a long and illustrious fishing history. Admire the boats moored at the marina and watch as they patrol the waters in search of fresh seafood to supply the town. Even if you don’t get lucky, taking in the breathtaking sea views in Al Wakrah is a highly pleasurable and soothing way to spend the day.
• Al Wakrah Public Garden: This park, located close to Souq Al Wakrah, will surely lighten up one’s day. Brightly coloured flowers welcome visitors at the entrance. Beautifully arranged by season, the seasonal flowers are eye-candy for the sense of sight. Additionally, there are shady places to sit and a play area for kids in the public garden.