The FIFA World Cup Football-2022 has been kicked off in Qatar on 20th of November 2022. It is also known as Qatar 2022 and contested by the Men’s national teams of FIFA’s member associations. This is the 22nd FIFA World Cup which is taking place in Qatar from 20th of November to 18th of December 2022.
With a total of 32 teams from 5 confederations taking part in the World Cup Football, fans all over the world can expect a carnival. The event is held for the first time in this part of the world. The event will be played in eight coming-of-age stadiums across Qatar. The first play was between the hosts Qatar and Ecuador in the Group A, played at the Al Bayt Stadium. Ecuador won 2-0 over Qatar in the opening game. Enner Valencia scored both the goals for Ecuador.
Dubai is proividing accommodation for football fans from all over the world and Emirates Airlines is running 120 ‘Match Day’ shuttle services to ferry fans to Doha daily. There are many Viewing centres arranged with big screens for remote viewing.
Groupings
- Group-A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group-B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
- Group-C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group-D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group-E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group-F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group-G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group-H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Venues and Matches
Al Bayt Stadium
A stadium with a capacity of 60,000 which was inaugurated on 30th of November 2021 during the FIFA Arab Cup.
Matches
- 20 November – Group A: Qatar vs Ecuador
- 23 November – Group F: Morocco vs Croatia
- 25 November – Group B: England vs USA
- 27 November – Group E: Spain vs Germany
- 29 November – Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar
- 1 December – Group E: Costa Rica vs Germany
- 4 December – Round of 16: 1B vs 2A
- 10 December – Quarter-final
- 14 December – Semi-final
Khalifa International Stadium
The stadium was built in 1976 and is the oldest of all stadiums in Qatar with a present capacity of 40,000.
Matches
- 21 November – Group B: England vs Iran
- 23 November – Group E: Germany vs Japan
- 25 November – Group A: Netherlands vs Ecuador
- 27 November – Group F: Croatia vs Canada
- 29 November – Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal
- 1 December – Group E: Japan vs Spain
- 3 December – Round of 16: 1A vs 2B
- 17 December – 3rd Place
Al Thumama Stadium
This stadium can accommodate up to 40,000 fans. Inaugurated during the Amir Cup Final in 2021, this is fairly new venue, constructed specifically for the World Cup.
Matches
- 21 November – Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands
- 23 November – Group E: Spain vs Costa Rica
- 25 November – Group A: Qatar vs Senegal
- 27 November – Group F: Belgium vs Morocco
- 29 November – Group B: Iran vs USA
- 1 December – Group F: Canada vs Morocco
- 4 December – Round of 16: 1D vs 2C
- 10 December – Quarterfinal
Lusail Stadium
This is the largest venue for this edition of World Cup and will host the Final.
Matches
- 22 November – Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia
- 24 November – Group G: Brazil vs Serbia
- 26 November – Group C: Argentina vs Mexico
- 28 November – Group H: Portugal vs Uruguay
- 30 November – Group C: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico
- 2 December – Group G: Cameroon vs Brazil
- 5 December – Round of 16: 1H vs 2G
- 9 December – Quarterfinal
- 13 December – Semi-final
- 18 December – Final
Stadium 974
The stadium is built using 974 recycled containers and 974 signifies Qatar’s International Dialling Code. This is fully demountable stadium in the history of World Cups with a capacity of 40,000.
Matches
- 22 November – Group C: Mexico vs Poland
- 24 November – Group H: Portugal vs Ghana
- 26 November – Group D: France vs Denmark
- 28 November – Group G: Brazil vs Switzerland
- 30 November – Group H: Poland vs Argentina
- 02 December – Group G: Serbia vs Switzerland
- 05 December – Round of 16: 1G vs 2H
Education City Stadium
Known as “Diamond in the Desert”, this stadium can accommodate 40,000. Inspired by the geometric shapes resembling traditional Islamic Architecture, this venue is surrounded by many leading Universities. After the World Cup, the capacity will be reduced to 25,000 and remaining seats will be donated to Developing Countries.
Matches
- 22 November – Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia
- 24 November – Group H: Uruguay vs Korea Republic
- 26 November – Group C: Poland vs Saudi Arabia
- 28 November – Group H: Korea Republic vs Ghana
- 30 November – Group D: Tunisia vs France
- 2 December – Group H: Korea Republic vs Portugal
- 6 December – Round of 16: 1F vs 2E
- 6 December – Quarterfinal
Al Janoub Stadium
It was formerly known as Al Wakrah Stadium, located in one of the oldest settlements in Qatar, inspired by the traditional Dhow Boats. The stadium can accommodate 40,000 fans and will become Qatar Star League side Al Wakrah’s home venue after the World Cup.
Matches
- 22 November Group D: France vs Australia
- 24 November Group G: Switzerland vs Cameroon
- 26 November Group D: Tunisia vs Australia
- 28 November Group G: Cameroon vs Serbia
- 30 November Group D: Australia vs Denmark
- 2 December Group G: Ghana vs Uruguay
- 5 December Round of 16: 1E vs 2F
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
This was inaugurated on December 18, 2020, hosting the Amir Cup final and will become home for Qatar’s Star League football team Al Rayyan after the World Cup.
Matches
- 21 November – Group B: USA vs Wales
- 23 November – Group F: Belgium vs Canada
- 25 November – Group B: Wales vs Iran
- 27 November – Group B: Japan vs Costa Rica
- 29 November – Group B: Wales vs England
- 1 December – Group F: Croatia vs Belgium
- 3 December – Round of 16: 1C vs 2D
Read more about the stadiums here
Disclaimer: Information provided for public awareness only and collected from various sources. Please re-check the dates and/or fixtures on the official FIFA World Cup site for accurate information.
