With just days until 2022 FIFA World Cup, here is the ultimate guide to the world’s biggest football tournament.
As Qatar prepare to host the tournament for the first time ever, there is plenty that you need to know ahead of the tournament from qualified teams to dates and broadcaster details for whereever you plan to watch around the world.
With France arriving as reigning champions after winning the 2018 edition in Russia, all eyes will be on Les Bleus to become the first country to defend their title since Brazil in 1962 amidst anticipated harder competition this time round.
Several players will also be eager to impress for various reasons as some look for one last taste of international glory, whilst others come with a point to prove for differing reasons.
Now, here is a full guide to everything that you need to know ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
When Is 2022 FIFA World Cup?
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place from 20 November and run for four weeks with the Final taking place on 18 December.
Where Is 2022 FIFA World Cup Being Held?
2022 FIFA World Cup is being held in Qatar for the very first time despite controversy of the awarding of hosting rights, which meant a switch from the tournament’s traditional summer date to winter due to hot temperatures in Qatar during summer months.
Eight stadiums will be hosting fixtures across the tournament with four venues each allocated across the following groups;
Groups A, B, E, F; Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Groups C, D, G, H; Lusail Iconic Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium.
How Many Teams Will Be Involved In 2022 FIFA World Cup?
32 countries will be involved in the World Cup split across eight groups each containing four teams, with reigning champions, France headlining the qualified teams alongside title contenders; Argentina, Belgium, Brazil and England.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| Qatar | England | Argentina | France |
| Ecuador | Iran | Saudi Arabia | Australia |
| Senegal | USA | Mexico | Denmark |
| Netherlands | Wales | Poland | Tunisia |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| Spain | Belgium | Brazil | Portugal |
| Costa Rica | Canada | Serbia | Ghana |
| Germany | Morocco | Switzerland | Uruguay |
| Japan | Croatia | Cameroon | Korea Republic |
How Will 2022 FIFA World Cup Work?
The tournament will open with a Round-Robin Group Stage containing three rounds of fixtures per group, where teams will play each other once with the top two teams qualifying for the Knockout Stage, which is compromised of;
- Round of 16 (16 teams) played between 3-6 December.
- Quarter-Finals (8 teams) played between 9-10 December.
- Semi-Finals (4 teams) played between 13-14 December
- Final (2 teams) played on 18 December
There will also be a third-placed play-off between the two losing finalists on Saturday 17 December.
Five Players To Watch
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Having won various major titles over the years at club and international level, Lionel Messi has never won the World Cup and at 35 years-old, this will be his last chance to win a World Cup title after Argentina fell short at 2014 World Cup Final against Germany.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
As one of Europe’s best midfielders, Belgiun’s Kevin De Bruyne will definitely be a crucial player to watch because he can not only score but provide assists, of which he currently tops the latter chart for Manchester City in the Premier League.
Form therefore won’t be an issue for the 31 year-old who will be eager to finally deliver a major honour for the Belgian Red Devils, as he prepares to spearhead their title challenge after falling short at each of their last three major tournaments.
James Maddison (England)
Having made just one international appearance for England back in November 2019, James Maddison has surprisingly earned a call-up for the Three Lions’ World Cup squad following his strong form this season.
Anticipation is therefore high surrounding his potential heading into the tournament because if manager, Gareth Southgate uses him in the starting line-up with suitable tactics, Maddison could certainly be a player to watch given his ability to create and score goals this season.
This tournament though is his first major international tournament at senior level which adds extra intrigue in regards to how Maddison could perform, especially if England progress deep into the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Arriving at this World Cup following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised his club, Manchester United, all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo to see whether he can deliver the magic that he is capable of producing at his very best.
This World Cup is also set to be the last major international tournament for the 37 year-old so like Messi, he will be eager to end his international career with the greatest title possible.
Reported tensions with teammates over his antics though threatens to derail Ronaldo’s chances of guiding Portugal to the World Cup, so he and his teammates will need to park any personal issues aside if he is to lead the team to glory.
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
With Sadio Mane ruled out of the tournament for Senegal, all eyes of Senegalese supporters will now surely fall on Iliman Ndiaye, who is their second youngest player yet their most in-form striker available.
Having produced nine goals and two assists for Sheffield United this season in all competitions, Ndiaye is no stranger to pressure, yet he is now on the international stage for Senegal and in better form than his fellow strikers so it will be intriguing to see how he fares in a relatively easy group.
How To Watch 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Here is a guide to how you can watch the tournament across the world depending upon which country you live in, or will be holidaying in if aboard.
Americas
| Country | Broadcasters |
| Argentina | TVP, TyC Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba13 |
| Bolivia | Bolivia TV, Red Uno, Unitel |
| Brazil | TV Globo, Casmirio |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | SportsMax |
| Chile | Chilevision. Canal13 |
| Colombia | Caracol TV, RCN TV |
| Costa Rica | Teletica |
| Cuba | ICRT |
| Curacao | TV Direct 13 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37 |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS |
| Grand Cayman | Logic |
| Guatemala | TV Azteca, Tigo Sports |
| Honduras | Televicentro |
| Latin America | Vrio Corp. |
| Mexico | Sky, Televisa, TV Azteca |
| Panama | RPC, TVN |
| Paraguay | SNT, Telefuturo, Trece, TyC Sports, Tigo Sports |
| Peru | Latina Television |
| Suriname | SCCN, STVS |
| Trinidad & Tobago | CNC3 |
| Uruguay | ANTEL, Canal4, Canal10, Teledoce, TyC Sports |
| USA | Fox, Telemundo |
| Venezuela | Televen |
Africa
| Country | Broadcasters |
| Angola | TPA |
| Cameroon | CRTV |
| Cape Verde | RTC |
| East Timor | ETO, TELCO |
| Gabon | RTG |
| Gambia | GRTS |
| Ghana | GBC |
| Ivory Coast | NCI |
| Kenya | KBC |
| Madagascar | ORTM |
| Malawi | MBC |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Namibia | NBC |
| Niger | ORTN |
| Rwanda | RBA |
| Sao Tome and Principe | TVS |
| Senegal | RTS |
| South Africa | SABC |
| Sub-Sahran Africa | SuperSport, New World TV |
| Uganda | UBC |
| Zambia | ZNB |
Europe
| Country | Broadcasters |
| Albania | RTSH |
| Armenia | AMPTV |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV |
| Azerbaijan | iTV |
| Belarus | Belteleradio |
| Belgium | RTBF, VRT |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | BHRT |
| Bulgaria | BNT, Nova |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Cyprus | CyBC |
| Czech Republic | CT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Estonia | ERR |
| Europe | EBU |
| France | TF1, beIN Sports |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| Georgia | GPB |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Deuutsche Telekom |
| Greece | ANT1 |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RUV |
| Ireland | RTE |
| Israel | IPBC |
| Italy | RAI |
| Kosovo | RTK |
| Latvia | LTV |
| Liechtenstein | SRG, SSR |
| Lithuania | LRT |
| Malta | PBS |
| Moldova | TRM |
| Montenegro | RTCG |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| North Macedonia | MRT |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | RTP, SIC, Sport TV, TVI |
| Romania | TVR |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Serbia | RTS |
| Slovakia | RTVS |
| Slovenia | RTV |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro, Movistar Plus+ |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Ukraine | Suspilne, MEGOGO |
| UK | BBC, ITV, S4C |
Middle East
| Country | Broadcaster |
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Israel | IPBC |
| Macau | TDM |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Nepal | Media Hub |
Asia & Oceania
| Country | Broadcasters |
| Australia | SBS |
| Bangladesh | T Sports |
| Brunei | Kristal-Astro |
| Cambodia | TVK |
| Central Asia | Saran Media |
| China | CCTV, Migu |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Indian Subcontinent | Viacom18 |
| Indonesia | Emtek |
| Japan | Abema, Fuji TV, NHK, TV Asahi |
| Kazakhstan | Kazakh TV |
| Kyrgyzstan | NTRK |
| Malaysia | Astro, RTM |
| Mongolia | Central Television |
| Myanmar | Sky Net |
| New Zealand | Sky Net |
| Pakistan | ARY Digital Network |
| Philippines | TAP DMV |
| Singapore | MediaCoup, Singtel, StarHub |
| South Korea | SBS, KBS, MBC |
| Taiwan | CTS, ELTA |
| Tanzania | TBC |
| Thailand | SAT |
| Uzbekistan | MTRK |
| Vietnam | VTV |
Leave a Reply