The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just over a week away as football’s biggest tournament will witness a sea of the sport’s best players battle against each other for the title. This 22nd edition of the World Cup will be held in Qatar this time from November 20 to December 18. The middle-east nation has built a massive 7 new stadiums for the competition which indeed are a piece of art. This FIFA World Cup will be a first of its kind as it is set to be played in the middle of a footballing season.
As a result, FIFA too have lent a helping hand towards the teams by allowing them to name a 26-man roster, unlike from the other times when the squads were restricted to 23 players. Also, this will be the first time a FIFA World Cup will allow five substitutions instead of the regular three. The 32 participating nations have now started announcing their final 26-player squads, as we bring you every detail of the tournament you need to know before it kicks-off on November 20.
2022 FIFA World Cup: Venues
A total of 64 games will be played at the FIFA World Cup, with Qatar having readied 8 venues to host them. Those 8 stadiums are:
| Stadium | Seating Capacity |
| Lusail Stadium | 80,000 |
| Al Bayt Stadium | 60,000 |
| Education City Stadium | 45,350 |
| Khalifa International Stadium | 45,416 |
| Al Rayyan Stadium | 44,740 |
| Al Thumama Stadium | 40,000 |
| Stadium 974 | 40,000 |
| Al Janoub Stadium | 40,000 |
The final will take place at the Lusail Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 80,000. The majestic arena will also host three knockout games, alongside some key group stage fixtures.
2022 FIFA World Cup: Group-wise Full Schedule
Group A
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Sun, Nov. 20 | Qatar vs. Ecuador | 9:30 PM | Al Bayt |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | Senegal vs. Netherlands | 9:30 PM | Al Thumama |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Qatar vs. Senegal | 6:30 PM | Al Thumama |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Netherlands vs. Ecuador | 9:30 PM | Khalifa Int’l |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Netherlands vs. Qatar | 8:30 PM | Al Bayt |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Ecuador vs. Senegal | 8:30 PM | Khalifa Int’l |
Group B
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | England vs. Iran | 6:30 PM | Khalifa Int’l |
| Mon, Nov. 22 | USA vs. Wales | 12:30 AM | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Wales vs. Iran |
3:30 PM
|
Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Fri, Nov. 26 | England vs. USA | 12:30 AM | Al Bayt |
| Tues, Nov. 30 | Wales vs. England | 12:30 AM | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Tues, Nov. 30 | Iran vs. USA | 12:30 AM | Al Thumama |
Group C
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Argentina vs. S. Arabia | 3:30 PM | Lusail |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Mexico vs. Poland | 9:30 PM | Stadium 974 |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Poland vs. S. Arabia | 6:30 PM | Education City |
| Sat, Nov. 27 | Argentina vs. Mexico | 12:30 AM | Lusail |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Poland vs. Argentina | 12:30 AM | Stadium 974 |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | S. Arabia vs. Mexico | 12:30 AM | Lusail |
Group D
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Denmark vs. Tunisia | 6:30 PM | Education City |
| Tue, Nov. 23 | France vs. Australia | 12:30 AM | Al Janoub |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Tunisia vs. Australia | 3:30 PM | Al Janoub |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | France vs. Denmark | 9:30 PM | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Tunisia vs. France | 8:30 PM | Education City |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Australia vs. Denmark | 8:30 PM | Al Janoub |
Group E
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Germany vs. Japan | 6:30 PM | Khalifa Int’l |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain vs. Costa Rica | 9:30 PM | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Japan vs. Costa Rica | 3:30 PM | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 28 | Spain vs. Germany | 12:30 AM | Al Bayt |
| Thurs, Dec. 2 | Japan vs. Spain | 12:30 AM | Khalifa Int’l |
| Thurs, Dec. 2 | Costa Rica vs. Germany | 12:30 AM | Al Bayt |
Group F
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Morocco vs. Croatia | 3:30 PM | Al Bayt |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | Belgium vs. Canada | 12:30 AM | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Belgium vs. Morocco | 6:30 PM | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Croatia vs. Canada | 9:30 PM | Khalifa Int’l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Croatia vs. Belgium | 8:30 PM | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Canada vs. Morocco | 8:30 PM | Al Thumama |
Group G
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Switzerland vs. Cameroon | 3:30 PM | Al Janoub |
| Thurs, Nov. 25 | Brazil vs. Serbia | 12:30 AM | Lusail |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Cameroon vs. Serbia | 3:30 PM | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Brazil vs. Switzerland | 9:30 PM | Stadium 974 |
| Fri, Dec. 3 | Cameroon vs. Brazil | 12:30 AM | Lusail |
| Fri, Dec. 3 | Serbia vs. Switzerland | 12:30 AM | Stadium 974 |
Group H
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Uruguay vs. South Korea | 6:30 PM | Education City |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Portugal vs. Ghana | 9:30 PM | Stadium 974 |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | South Korea vs. Ghana | 6:30 PM | Education City |
| Mon, Nov. 29 | Portugal vs. Uruguay | 12:30 AM | Lusail |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | South Korea vs. Portugal | 8:30 PM | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Ghana vs. Uruguay | 8:30 PM | Al Janoub |
2022 FIFA World Cup – Where to Watch, Live streaming:
India and the Indian subcontinent:
Viacom 18 has acquired the rights to broadcast 2022 FIFA World Cup 2022 in India and the remaining part of the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, the same broadcaster will telecast the event in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives as well. The Voot app of Viacom Network 18 and Jio app will livestream the tournament.
In UK:
BBC is the official channel that will broadcast the World Cup in the UK. Fans in UK can also watch the live stream of the tournament via ITV’s official website and mobile app.
In USA:
In USA, one can watch the FIFA World Cup on Fox Sports and Telemundo.
In Middle East and North Africa:
The official broadcaster for 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and North African regions is beIN Sports.
In Russia:
2sport2 consortium will telecast the World Cup in Russia.
In Italy:
In Italy, Rai will telecast the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In Spain:
In Spain, MEDIAPRO will telecast the tournament.
In Canada:
In Canada, the official World Cup broadcaster is Bell Media.
In New Zealand:
SKY Sport NZ will telecast the tournament in New Zealand
In China:
In China, the World Cup will be shown by China Central Televison.
2022 FIFA World Cup – Health and Covid Protocols for the Fans
FIFA, in collaboration with Qatar’s COVID-19 Travel & Return Policy under the Qatar Ministry of Public Health had released a string of Covid related protocols the fans are strictly required to follow when attending the matches in stadiums. Over 2.45 million tickets have been sold and hence millions of fans are expected to flock the middle-east nation for almost a month. The Coronavirus had restricted public gatherings during the lockdowns, but people are still required to follow necessary rules despite the uplifting of restrictions.
Following are the guidelines issued by the host nation’s Health Ministry for the fans:
- Fans are required to present an official negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours before departure time or an official negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result no more than 24 hours before departure time.
- Kids who are under six are exempt from submitting a negative COVID-19 test before departure to Qatar.
- Fans do not need to undergo quarantine, regardless of vaccination status or country or origin.
- If anyone tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Qatar then they will be required to isolate themselves in accordance with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health guidelines.
- Fans will not have to take a COVID-19 test after arrival in Qatar.
- Masks are mandatory if you are within healthcare facilities or on public transport.
Fans are also required to download and install the Ehteraz application on their cell phones, where only a green status will allow them to enter any closed indoor spaces meant for public. Issuing of a Hayya Card has also been made mandatory to the fans visiting the stadiums, as it will help them with the following
- Access to the emergency and urgent healthcare services located at public hospitals for free.
- Access to stadiums and free public transport on match days.
- Will act as entry permit to Qatar for international fans.
A Hayya Card printing and issue resolution centre is already open for the fans at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. The centre will remain open throughout the tournament and the timings for the it are from 10 AM to 10 PM daily and 2 PM to 10 PM on Fridays.