There are few sports in the world that are as popular as football, which means that there is a growing need for incredible stadiums that can host the most prestigious games. The WC 2022 stadiums are already set for Qatar later this year, but what are some of the most amazing stadiums that have been built around the globe?
There are few more legendary stadiums in Europe than the San Siro. The illustrious ground has long been the home of Inter Milan and AC Milan and has had the honour of hosting other non-football events, such as concerts and boxing. The incredible stadium can host up to 80,000 fans, making it the biggest stadium in Italy.
The arena is a UEFA category four stadium, and has had the honour of hosting games at the World Cup and European Championships as well as the Champions League final on four occasions. Furthermore, the stadium will host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
One of the most significant stadiums in the world is FNB Stadium; also known as Soccer City. The arena is located in Johannesburg in South Africa, and hosted games at the 2010 World Cup. The capacity of the ground was increased for the first African World Cup, with over 94,000 fans able to attend fixtures at the stadiums.
However, the site also has historical importance, as it was the location that Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison in 1990. The stadium was also used as the venue for his memorial service in December 2013. Football fans will remember that the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands was played here, while Mandela's final public appearance before his death came at the ground during the World Cup closing ceremony.
One of the biggest stadiums in Central America is located in Tlalpan, Mexico City. The Azteca is home to Club America, as well as the Mexican national team. Unlike many of the big stadiums in Europe, this ground is located over 2,000 meters above sea level and has a capacity of nearly 88,000.
It is regarded by many as one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, and has had the honour of hosting two World Cup finals. The first in 1970 saw Pele star in Brazil's 4-1 win against Italy, before Diego Maradona played in Argentina's 3-2 win against West Germany in 1986.
It would be hard to not include the Home of Football in any list when talking about the best stadiums in the sport. The new Wembley opened in 2007, and is located on the exact site as the previous stadium. Major matches are played here throughout the season, including the FA Cup and League Cup finals, and all England international fixtures.
A capacity crowd of 90,000 can attend fixtures at Wembley, and it is the second-biggest stadium in Europe. As well as domestic games, the stadium has also hosted two Champions League finals, and eight fixtures during EURO 2020.
While it may not be one of the biggest stadiums on this list, La Bombonera is certainly one of the most unique. This stadium is flat on one side, while the remaining three stands are steep. According to fans, the flat stand enhances the atmosphere in the ground and shakes when Boca Juniors fans are at their loudest.
The stadium has a capacity of 57,000 and has hosted national team fixtures as well as Boca games. It has also been the venue for some of the worlds biggest artists, including Elton John, Lenny Kravitz and the Bee Gees.
This article has been contributed by FootySamba.com
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