The countdown is on to a global showpiece in Qatar, with 32 nations ready to start chasing down the grandest prize in international football
Another four-year cycle is almost over as players, coaches and supporters from every corner of the planet begin to count down the days to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
There will be 32 nations looking to chase down global glory in the Middle East, with there plenty of ambitious teams that believe they can emulate the efforts from 2018 of reigning champions France.
Only one will prevail, but there promises to be plenty of thrills and spills along the way and you can find everything you need to know about every possible step of that journey right here courtesy of GOAL.
We now know who plays who and when in this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar following Friday’s draw in Doha.
The tournament kicks off on 21 November with a match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium.
England are also in action on the opening day against Iran before going on to face the USA and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine in Group B.
But when are the other group fixtures? What day do the knockout rounds start? And when is the final?
Fifa provides you with all the fixture information available for the first World Cup to be held outside the northern hemisphere summer.
Group-stage fixtures
The 2022 World Cup features 32 teams in eight groups of four, although some of the teams remain to be decided with one European and two intercontinental finals still to be played.
Four games will be played each day during a group stage that runs for 12 days.
The winners and runners-up of each group progress to the last 16.
Monday 21 November
Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (10:00), Qatar v Ecuador (16:00)
Ghana Time
Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 10am)
Group A: Qatar vs Ecuador (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 4pm)
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝘼…
Will the hosts reach the knockouts in their #FIFAWorldCup debut? 🤔#FinalDraw
🇶🇦@QFA_EN | 🇪🇨@FEFecuador
🇸🇳@FootballSenegal | 🇳🇱@OnsOranje pic.twitter.com/qq032CF8TV— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 2, 2022
Group B: England v Iran (13:00), USA v Scotland/Wales/Ukraine (19:00)
Ghana Time
Group B: England vs Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Group B: USA vs Scotland/Wales/Ukraine (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝘽…
Will @HKane or @cpulisic_10 have a say in the final standings? 🤔#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup
🏴@England | 🇮🇷@TeamMelliIran
🇺🇸@USMNT | 🏴/🏴/🇺🇦@Cymru or @ScotlandNT or @uafukraine pic.twitter.com/YUr4L42MWQ— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 2, 2022
Tuesday 22 November
Group C: Argentina v Saudi Arabia (10:00), Mexico v Poland (16:00)
Ghana Time
Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 10am)
Group C: Mexico vs Poland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 4pm)
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝘾…
Leo versus Lewy – who you got?#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup
🇦🇷@Argentina | 🇸🇦@SaudiNT
🇲🇽@miseleccionmx | 🇵🇱@LaczyNasPilka pic.twitter.com/bUJj8RICon— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 2, 2022
Group D: Denmark v Tunisia (13:00), France v UAE/Australia/Peru (19:00)
Ghana Time
Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Group D: France vs UAE/Australia/Peru (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 7pm)
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝘿…
Will the champions break the curse?#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup
🇫🇷@equipedefrance | 🇵🇪/🇦🇺/🇦🇪@SeleccionPeru or @Socceroos or @uaefa_ae
🇩🇰@dbulandshold | 🇹🇳@FTF_OFFICIELLE pic.twitter.com/OocVU7OGy5— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 2, 2022
Wednesday 23 November
Group E: Germany v Japan (13:00), Spain v Costa Rica/New Zealand (16:00)
Ghana Time
Group E: Germany vs Japan (Khalifa International Stadium, Al
Group E: Spain vs Costa Rica/New Zealand (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 4pm)
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙀…
Some BIG names. Who comes out on top? #FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup
🇪🇸 @SeFutbol | 🇨🇷/🇳🇿 @NZ_Football or @fedefutbolcrc | 🇩🇪 @DFB_Team_EN | 🇯🇵 @JFA pic.twitter.com/SNhLdjf1JJ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 3, 2022
Group F: Morocco v Croatia (10:00), Belgium v Canada (16:00)
Ghana Time
Group F: Morocco vs Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 10am)
Group F: Belgium vs Canada (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
🇧🇪🇨🇦🇲🇦🇭🇷
Predict the final standings:
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
4.____________#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Vlvh6XGbbT— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2022
Thursday, 24 November
Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon (10:00), Brazil v Serbia (19:00)
Ghana Time
Group G: Switzerland vs Cameroon (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
Group G: Brazil vs Serbia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
🇧🇷🇷🇸🇨🇭🇨🇲
Predict the final standings:
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
4.____________#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/bFUm37SJ5A— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2022
Group H: Uruguay v South Korea (13:00), Portugal v Ghana (16:00)
Ghana Time
Group H: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Group H: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 4pm)
🇵🇹🇬🇭🇺🇾🇰🇷
Predict the final standings:
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
4.____________#FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/8HVdGRxKyt— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2022
Friday November 25
Group B: Scotland/Wales/Ukraine vs Iran (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 10am)
Group A: Qatar vs Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 1pm)
Group A: Netherlands vs Ecuador (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 4pm)
Group B: England vs USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Saturday November 26
Group C: Tunisia vs UAE/Australia/Peru (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
Group C: Poland vs Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Group D: France vs Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 4pm)
Group C: Argentina vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Sunday November 27
Group E: Japan vs Costa Rica/New Zealand (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 10am)
Group F: Belgium vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 1pm)
Group F: Croatia vs Canada (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 4pm)
Group E: Spain vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Monday November 28
Group G: Cameroon vs Serbia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
Group G: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
Group H: Brazil vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 4pm)
Group H: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Tuesday November 29
Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 3pm)
Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Group B: Scotland/Wales/Ukraine vs England (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
Group B: Iran vs USA (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Wednesday November 30
Group D: UAE/Australia/Peru vs Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 3pm)
Group D: Tunisia vs France (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Group C: Poland vs Argentina (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 7pm)
Group C: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Thursday December 1
Group F: Croatia vs Belgium (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Group F: Canada vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 3pm)
Group E: Costa Rica/New Zealand vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Group E: Japan vs Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
Friday, December 2
Group G: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Group G: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 3pm)
Group H: Serbia vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 7pm)
Group H: Cameroon vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Round of 16
Saturday December 3
49 – Winners of Group A vs. Runners-up of Group B (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
50 – Winners of Group C vs. Runners-up of Group D (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 7pm)
Sunday December 4
52 – Winners of Group D vs. Runners-up of Group C (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off 3pm)
51 – Winners of Group B vs. Runners-up of Group A (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Monday December 5
53 – Winners of Group E vs. Runners-up of Group F (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 3pm)
54 – Winners of Group G vs. Runners-up of Group H (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 7pm)
Tuesday December 6
55 – Winners of Group F vs. Runners-up of Group E (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
56 – Winners of Group H vs. Runners-up of Group G (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Quarter-finals
Friday December 9
58 – Winners of 53 vs. Winners of 54 (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
57 – Winners of 49 vs. Winners of 50 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 3pm)
Saturday December 10
60 – Winners of 55 vs. Winners of 56 (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off 3pm)
59 – Winners of 51 vs. Winners of 52 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Semi-finals
Tuesday December 13
61 – Winners of 57 vs. Winners of 58 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Wednesday December 14
62 – Winners of 59 vs. Winners of 60 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 7pm)
Third-place play-off
Saturday December 17
63 – Losers of 61 vs. Losers of 62 (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Final
Sunday December 18
64 – Winners of 61 vs. Winners of 62 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 6pm)
When will the matches kick off?
FIFA has confirmed the first two rounds of matches will kick off at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm local time (10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm in the United Kingdom).
Kick-off times in the final round of group games and knockout-round matches will be at 6pm and 10pm local time (3pm and 7pm UK time).
The final is scheduled to kick off at 6pm local time (3pm UK time)
Final match schedule 🏟️ for the FIFA ⚽️ #WorldCup Qatar 🇶🇦 2022™ published ➡️ https://t.co/cLSmws7sYS. Tickets 🎟️ back on sale on 5 April via https://t.co/N8oxitnzbJ! pic.twitter.com/39KhdHrx9s
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) April 1, 2022
Date | Group | Fixture | Kick-off time (GMT/EST) | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 21 | A | Qatar vs Ecuador | 16:00/11:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Nov 21 | A | Senegal vs Netherlands | 10:00/05:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Nov 21 | B | England vs Iran | 13:00/08:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Nov 21 | B | United Stats vs Wales/Scotland/Ukraine | 19:00/14:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Nov 22 | C | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia | 10:00/05:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Nov 22 | C | Mexico vs Poland | 16:00/11:00 | Stadium 974 |
Nov 22 | D | France vs Australia/UAE/Peru | 19:00/14:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Nov 22 | D | Denmark vs Tunisia | 13:00/08:00 | Education City Stadium |
Nov 23 | E | Spain vs New Zealand/Costa Rica | 16:00/11:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Nov 23 | E | Germany vs Japan | 13:00/08:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Nov 23 | F | Belgium vs Canada | 19:00/14:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Nov 23 | F | Morocco vs Croatia | 10:00/05:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Nov 24 | G | Brazil vs Serbia | 19:00/14:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Nov 24 | G | Switzerlands vs Cameroon | 10:00/05:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Nov 24 | H | Portugal vs Ghana | 16:00/11:00 | Stadium 974 |
Nov 24 | H | Uruguay vs South Korea | 13:00/08:00 | Education City Stadium |
Nov 25 | A | Qatar vs Senegal | 13:00/08:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Nov 25 | A | Netherlands vs Ecuador | 16:00/11:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Nov 25 | B | England vs United States | 19:00/14:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Nov 25 | B | Wales/Scotland/Ukraine vs Iran | 10:00/05:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Nov 26 | C | Argentina vs Mexico | 19:00/14:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Nov 26 | C | Poland vs Saudi Arabia | 13:00/08:00 | Education City Stadium |
Nov 26 | D | France vs Denmark | 16:00/11:00 | Stadium 974 |
Nov 26 | D | Tunisia vs Australia/UAE/Peru | 10:00/05:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Nov 27 | E | Spain vs Germany | 19:00/14:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Nov 27 | E | Japan vs Costa Rica/New Zealand | 10:00/05:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Nov 27 | F | Belgium vs Morcco | 13:00/08:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Nov 27 | F | Croatia vs Canada | 16:00/11:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Nov 28 | G | Brazil vs Switzerland | 16:00/11:00 | Stadium 974 |
Nov 28 | G | Cameroon vs Serbia | 10:00/05:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Nov 28 | H | Portugal vs Uruguay | 19:00/14:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Nov 28 | H | South Korea vs Ghana | 13:00/08:00 | Education City Stadium |
Nov 29 | A | Netherlands vs Qatar | 15:00/10:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Nov 29 | A | Ecuador vs Senegal | 15:00/10:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Nov 29 | B | Wales/Scotland/Ukraine vs England | 19:00/14:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Nov 29 | B | Iran vs United States | 19:00/14:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Nov 30 | C | Poland vs Argentina | 19:00/14:00 | Stadium 974 |
Nov 30 | C | Saudi Arabia vs Mexico | 19:00/14:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Nov 30 | D | Tunisia vs France | 15:00/10:00 | Education City Stadium |
Nov 30 | D | Australia/UAE/Peru vs Denmark | 15:00/10:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Dec 1 | E | Japan vs Spain | 19:00/14:00 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Dec 1 | E | Costa Rica/New Zealand vs Germany | 19:00/14:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Dec 1 | F | Croatia vs Belgium | 15:00/10:00 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
Dec 1 | F | Canada vs Morocco | 15:00/10:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
Dec 2 | G | Cameroon vs Brazil | 19:00/14:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Dec 2 | G | Serbia vs Switzerland | 19:00/14:00 | Stadium 974 |
Dec 2 | H | South Korea vs Portugal | 15:00/10:00 | Education City Stadium |
Dec 2 | H | Ghana vs Uruguay | 15:00/10:00 | Al Janoub Stadium |
Where is World Cup 2022 being held & at which stadiums?
History is being made in 2022 as the World Cup finals head to the Middle East for the first time.
The event will also be taking place across November and December, rather than its standard June/July slot, due to the soaring summer temperatures in Qatar and will be completed in a condensed 28-day format.
An eagerly-anticipated competition will get under way on November 21 and will see action taken in across eight specially-built venues in five cities, with the Lusail Iconic Stadium playing host to the final on December 18.
City | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Lusail | Lusail Iconic Stadium | 80,000 |
Al Khor | Al Bayt Stadium | 60,000 |
Doha | Stadium 974 | 40,000 |
Doha | Al Thumama Stadium | 40,000 |
Al Rayyan | Education City Stadium | 45,350 |
Al Rayyan | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium | 44,740 |
Al Rayyan | Khalifa International Stadium | 40,000 |
Al Wakrah | Al Janoub Stadium | 40,000 |
How much do World Cup 2022 tickets cost?
Individual tickets are split up into four categories and the prices for each category – converted to British pounds from U.S. dollars – are shown below. Tickets from category four are only available to residents of Qatar.
Match | Cat 1 | Cat 2 | Cat 3 | Cat 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Opening match | £472 | £336 | £231 | £42 |
Group matches | £168 | £126 | £53 | £8 |
Round of 16 | £210 | £157 | £73 | £15 |
Quarter-finals | £325 | £220 | £157 | £63 |
Semi-finals | £730 | £503 | £273 | £105 |
Third place play-off | £325 | £231 | £157 | £63 |
Final | £1,227 | £766 | £461 | £157 |
What is the World Cup 2022 official song?
A number of singles will be released from the official FIFA World Cup 2022 Soundtrack.
The first of those was revealed on April 1, with Hayya Hayya (Better Together) made available across multiple platforms.
FIFA has said “the uplifting track, featuring Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha, draws on R&B and reggae influences” as the organisation seeks to “connect with audiences worldwide through the shared passions of football and music”.
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