Costa Rica’s Daniel Chacon # 6 has been identified as Geo Rena # 11 of the United States during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica on March 30, 2022.
Brad Smith | ISI Pictures | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s tournament, from the original date to the kick-off time.
When and where will the 2022 World Cup be?
The 2022 World Cup is being held in Qatar during the winter months instead of the normal summer due to the heat.
The tournament kicks off on Monday 21 November at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor when the host Qatar will face Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium.
England will also play on the first day of their Group B match against Iran, to be held just eight days after the Premier League closes.
The final will be played at the Lusail Stadium in Doha on Sunday, December 18, a week before Christmas.
Who has qualified so far?
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Of the 32 countries, 29 are now known to be participating in the tournament.
As host, Qatar Has automatically qualified for next year’s tournament.
Four-time World Cup winner Germany While Europe was the first team to be guaranteed a place through the qualification process Brazil – The most successful national team in World Cup history with five trophies – has quickly qualified as one of the top four teams in the South American group.
England secured their place in November from the top of their qualifying group.
Canada qualified for the World Cup final for the second timeA 4-0 win over Jamaica put an end to 36 years of failure and heartache to book their tickets to Qatar.
Mexico And United States Have qualified for the World Cup in their finals, and Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco And Cameroon Qatar was among the final countries to book their place in 2022. Sadio Mane made the winning kick by defeating Senegal Egypt 3-1 on penalties, Mo Salah missed their spot-kick among the Egyptian players.
Europe, Portugal And Poland They advanced to the final after winning the play-offs Northern Macedonia And Sweden The third and final European play-off, respectively, which will feature Wales Against Scotland Or UkraineDelayed until June.
Who will qualify for the final three countries?
Wales, Scotland Or Ukraine Will be in the World Cup as a play-off winner.
Meanwhile, the intercontinental play-off competition will be held in Qatar on June 13-14. Australia Or United Arab Emirates Or Peru Plus Costa Rica Or New Zealand Take the two remaining places.
UEFA and Intercontinental play-offs:
- Wales vs. Scotland or Ukraine
- Australia v. United Arab Emirates vs. Peru
- Costa Rica vs New Zealand
Since Scotland and Wales are pitched in the same way, this means that Scotland and Wales will play each other for a place in next year’s World Cup if Scotland go past. Ukraine In their delayed play-off semifinals.
What is the World Cup group draw?
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, European Play-offs *
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Intercontinental Play-offs 1 *, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Intercontinental Play-offs 2 *, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, South Korea
What is the format and schedule of the World Cup?
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The group stage will feature four matches per day, lasting 12 days, with the winners and runners-up advancing to 16 rounds.
After the final draw, matches will only be assigned to specific venues, so organizers can choose the appropriate kick-off time for television viewers from different countries, as well as Qatari fans.
In contrast to Euro 2020, the third place play-off will be played on 17 December.
Group stage: November 21- December 2
16 rounds: 3-6 December
Quarter finals: 9/10 December
Semifinals: 13/14 December
Final: 18 December
When will the matches start?
FIFA has confirmed that the first two rounds will start at 1pm, 4pm, 6pm and 10pm local time (10pm, 1pm, 4pm and 6pm in the UK).
The final round of group games will be kick-off time and the knock-out round matches will be at 6pm and 10pm local time (3pm UK time and 7pm).
Final will start at 6 pm local time (3 pm UK time)
What are the venues?
The group games will be played across eight stadiums: Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Ras Abu Abud Stadium, Education City Stadium, Al Janub Stadium.
What will happen with the Premier League?
The Premier League has confirmed the key dates for the 2022/23 campaign, adjusting the season for the World Cup to be held in the middle of the domestic calendar.
The season will begin one week earlier than usual on August 6, 2022, with 16 match days until the weekend of November 12/13 before the start of the tournament on November 21st.
The Premier League will resume on Boxing Day after the World Cup final on December 18.
The final match round of the 2022/23 season will be played on 28 May 2023.
Original World Cup, Premier League, Scottish Premiership dates
April – World Cup draw.
July 30 – Scottish Premiership season begins with the EFL Championship, League One and League Two.
August 6 – The Premier League season begins.
November 12-13 – Final round matches of the Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premiership before the World Cup.
November 21 – World Cup begins.
December 2 – The final set of the group stage match.
December 3-6 – Round of 16 begins.
December 9-10 – Quarter finals.
December 10 – Championship begins again.
December 13-14 – World Cup semifinals.
December 17 – Scottish Premiership resumes.
December 18 – World Cup Final.
December 26 – The Premier League begins again.