Beginning on Sunday, the most awaited FIFA World Cup 2022 will take place in Qatar.
In this once every four years football spectacular, 32 teams will be vying for greatness. Teams include hosts Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, the Netherlands, England, Iran, USA, Wales, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia, Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia, as well as Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon, Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea.
The reigning champion is France, which defeated Croatia in the championship match to win their second title in 2018. They will be attempting to retain their title in the face of elite opposition from the aforementioned teams.
For Argentina striker Lionel Messi, who is regarded as one of the game’s all-time greats, it will be his final World Cup tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo too is very likely to wear the Portuguese colours one final time.
The Middle East is hosting the event for the first time this year. In order to avoid the desert heat in Qatar during the summers, the World Cup is being held for the first time outside the customary June–July period.
The 64 matches of this tournament will be played in eight stadiums throughout Qatar.
Starting at 9:30 p.m. IST, Qatar and Ecuador will square off in the first game of the season.
Sports 18 will broadcast live matches throughout the competition at 12:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 6:30 PM, and 9:30 PM IST as well.
The tournament’s knockout round will start with the Round of 16 beginning on December 3.
The semifinals will begin on December 14 after the quarterfinals conclude on December 9.
At the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, on December 18, the championship match will take place.
Groups:
Group A: Qatar (H), Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, the United States, and Wales
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland
Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea