The AufSchalke Arena was completed just over four years ago and is situated right next to the old Parkstadion.

Home to Schalke 04, the stadium is a state-of-the-art ground, incorporating a retractable roof and a removable playing surface and earned a top-mark five-star rating from UEFA, who admitted it was nearly worth a six.

For the World Cup finals, the AufSchalke Arena will have a capacity of just under 48,500.

The stadium hosts the second game on the opening day of the tournament, with Poland taking on Ecuador on June 9.

Three days later the USA face the Czech Republic and a further four days on Argentina face Serbia & Montenegro.

The final group game in Gelsenkirchen sees Portugal take on Mexico on June 21.

On July 1 one of the four quarter-finals will be staged at the AufSchalke Arena and that could involve hosts Germany if they finish as runners-up in Group A and then successfully negotiate their Round of 16 encounter.