The World Cup 2022 will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, with 32 teams competing in eight groups. England will face Iran on the first day of the event, while Germany and Spain will be grouped together.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s tournament, from crucial dates to kick-off times.
When and where will the World Cup be held in 2022?
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins on Monday, November 21st, with Senegal taking on the Netherlands in Group A, followed by hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium.
England will also play on the first day, with their Group B encounter against Iran scheduled for just eight days after the Premier League closes.
If Wales or Scotland make the finals through the playoffs, they will face England in Group B on Tuesday, November 29.
The final will take place a week before Christmas, on Sunday, December 18, at Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
The names of 29 of the 32 countries that will compete in the tournament are currently revealed.
As the tournament’s hosts, Qatar got automatic qualification for the following year’s tournament.
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Four-time World Cup champions Germany was the first team to win a spot through the European qualification procedure, while Brazil – the most successful national team in World Cup history with five trophies – qualified as one of the top four teams in South America’s groups.
England qualified for the November tournament by finishing first in their qualification group.
Canada qualified for the World Cup finals for the second time, defeating Jamaica 4-0 to earn their ticket to Qatar and bring an end to 36 years of disappointment and heartbreak.
In their final qualifier, Mexico and the United States both qualified for the World Cup, and Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, and Cameroon were among the final countries to secure their seats in Qatar 2022.
In Europe, Portugal and Poland advanced to the finals after defeating North Macedonia and Sweden in their respective play-off finals. The third and final European play-off, in which Wales will face either Scotland or Ukraine, has been postponed until June.
Who will be the last three nations to qualify?
As play-off winners, Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine will compete in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the intercontinental play-offs will be held on June 13-14 in Qatar, with Australia, the UAE, or Peru, as well as Costa Rica or New Zealand, competing for the two remaining spots.
Intercontinental and UEFA play-offs:
Wales vs. Scotland, or Wales vs. Ukraine
Peru vs. Australia or the United Arab Emirates
New Zealand vs. Costa Rica
Because Scotland and Wales have been assigned the same path, they will face off for a spot in next year’s World Cup if Scotland defeats Ukraine in their delayed play-off semi-final.
What are the World Cup groupings?
The World Cup in 2022 will begin with 32 teams divided into eight groups of four:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Ukraine/Scotland/Wales
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Australia/UAE/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, South Korea
