The Socceroos’ X-rated home ground for World Cup

The stadium the Socceroos will play all three of its group games at the World Cup has caught the attention of fans for all the wrong reasons.

The stadium will host eight games during the World Cup.

The stadium the Socceroos will play all three of its group games at the World Cup has caught the attention of fans for all the wrong reasons.

Al Janoub Stadium will host eight games during the World Cup — including Australia’s clashes with France, Tunisia and Denmark.

The game against France at 6am (AEDT) on Wednesday will be the first time the world gets to see the Qatar stadium properly, and fans may have some questions.

When the stadium opened in 2019, it instantly caught the attention of fans due to its similarities in appearances to female genitalia.

But when it was announced, it was described as: “Inspired by the dhow boat that carried generations of local fishermen and pearl divers, the stadium weaves together Qatar’s past with it progressive vision for the future.

“Sustainable materials and practices will be used throughout the stadium and the pitch and spectator stands will be cooled to a perfect temperature for football.”

We’ll let you decide for yourself.

It even forced the architect for the 40,000 seat stadium to address the issue, rejecting the claims.

It was designed by Dame Zara Hadid, who was also involved in designing the aquatic centre for the 2012 London Olympics.

“It’s really embarrassing that they come up with nonsense like this,” she told TIME magazine when the design was revealed in 2013.

“What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.”

The Sun reports the stadium will be equipped with fully functioning airconditioning help keep the players and spectators cool in the Qatari winter heat.

Once the competition is over, the top of the stadium will be dismantled and passed onto the developing world as part of the tournament’s legacy.

The stadium is just a short trip from Australia’s base at Aspire Academy and is a big change from previous World Cups.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said on Monday he refuses to even mention the word France, let alone any of their players, ahead of the match against the reigning champions.

Even without Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante and centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, France are full of global stars, led by Kylian Mbappe.

But Arnold doesn’t want his players to get overawed by illustrious opponents and has tried to present the French as faceless positions with specific strengths and attributes rather than star individuals.

“It’s not being disrespectful at all but I’ve hardly mentioned the word France and I’ve hardly mentioned any players’ names,” said the Socceroos coach.

“They all play in positions, the players know who they are but it’s about identifying those players’ strengths and it’s one against one.

“There’s 10 blue shirts against 10 yellow shirts and it’s a fight.”