Everything you need to know about the Qatar World Cup 2022

One of the biggest international sporting competitions in the world, the FIFA World Cup is watched by billions of people across the globe. An immeasurably exciting event which has inspired generations of players and fans since its inaugural debut in 1930, 2022 will see the World Cup take place in Qatar, and in unusual circumstances.

Despite the controversy surrounding the event however, many are still hoping that, when that first kick-off starts, football will once again just be football, and fans will be brought together against all odds. So, whether you’ve already bought your tickets to watch the games in person, or have plans to watch the action at your local pub, you can find all the information you need on the Qatar World Cup 2022 in our Avec Sport blog.

Which country will host the 2022 World Cup?

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar. Located in the Middle East, Qatar has become known for its beautiful beaches, sprawling sand dunes, futuristic skyscrapers and traditional Islamic architecture. With so many sights to take in, both in the capital city of Doha and further afield, fans making the trip to Qatar will have plenty to do when not in one of the 8 venues designated as World Cup stadiums. A full list of these stadiums, and the cities they are located in, can be seen below:

• Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail 
• Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor
• Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah
• Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan
• Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan
• Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan
• Stadium 974 in Doha
• Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.

Is the World Cup still going to be in 2022?

Usually held during the summer months to avoid the usual schedules of national football leagues, 2022 will see the World Cup be held during the winter. This will be the first time in FIFAs history that we’ll see a winter World Cup, but, despite the delay, it will still take place in 2022.

Why is the world cup in November?

The decision to hold the 2022 World Cup over November and December was a necessity caused by Qatar’s intense summer heat. In an average year, Qatar sees temperatures between 35°C and 45°C, a heat which would put players, staff and spectators at risk. In the run-up to the November start, we’ve asked the question of how different conditions can impact football on the Avec Sport blog, so head over to our ‘Does weather affect football?’ blog to read more about the dangers of playing in excessive heat, heavy rain and intense cold.

While the need to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved in the event made the postponed start an inevitability, the delay has also caused a whole host of scheduling issues throughout the footballing world, with regular national leagues delayed and shuffled into shorter seasons to accommodate the event being held in winter. 

What are the Qatar World Cup controversies?

Surrounded by undeniable controversy, the Qatar World Cup is being held under a shadow. From the moment their successful bid was announced, accusations of corruption and bribery began stirring, and with allegations of slavery and worker exploitation building in the years that followed, along with widespread fears and vague assurances of safety for visiting LGBTQ+ fans, the 2022 World Cup is already one for the history books, and not for the right reasons.

How hot is Qatar in winter?

During the winter months, the scorching Qatar heat of summer typically drops to a more manageable level, with average temperatures in November coming to 29°C and December’s average dropping even further to 24°C. To footballers used to playing in British temperatures, this above 20°C heat is likely to pose some challenges, but with proper training, regular hydration and suitable sportswear, play should be manageable. 

When does the World Cup 2022 start?

The Qatar World Cup will begin on Sunday 20th of November, and will last for four weeks, with the final taking place on Sunday 18th of December. This 28 day period is a deviation from previous years, which typically saw play take place over a slightly longer 32 day schedule. This shorter World Cup length is likely due to this being the first World Cup to be held in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, which has caused leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and more to condense their regular seasons. By making the length of the World Cup shorter, disruption to top-tier leagues around the world can be minimised. 

What are the 2022 World Cup dates?

Taking place between November 20th and December 18th, the World Cup 2022 schedule will see the group stage last from the 20th November - 2nd of December, with the Round of 16 lasting from 3rd - 6th of December. After two rest days, play will resume with the quarter-finals on the 9th and 10th December, with the semi-finals following after another break on the 13th and 14th of December. The World Cup will then come to an end after the 3rd Place match has taken place on the 17th of December, with the World Cup final following the day after on the 18th of December.

What time will the kick offs be in Qatar 2022?

Changing from round-to-round to accommodate the number of games held each day, the Qatar World Cup kick off times have been arranged specifically to ensure that as many people as possible can watch. The kick off times for each round are as follows:

• Group Stage matches will kick off at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm local time. This is 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm in the UK.
• Knock-out, Quarter-final and Semi-final rounds will have a kick off time of either 6pm or 10pm local time, which is 3pm and 7pm in the UK.
• The Qatar World Cup Final will kick off at 6pm local time, which is 3pm UK-time.

How many teams are in the World Cup 2022?

As there has been in previous years, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will have 32 teams vying for first place. This will change in the 2026 World Cup, which will see this traditional number rise to 48 for the first time ever. This new structure, which will become the norm from 2026 onwards, is a result of FIFA trying to expand the World Cup even further in an attempt to grow its popularity and give more countries the chance to participate.

What teams are going to the World Cup 2022?

A full list of the teams which have qualified for the World Cup Qatar can be found below, set out according to their group draw.

Are England in the World Cup 2022?

Yes, England will be playing in the Qatar World Cup, having qualified for the tournament on 15th of November 2021. Their first match will be against Iran on Monday 21st November. They’ll then also face USA on Friday 25th of November, and Wales on Tuesday 29th of November.

Is Russia in the World Cup 2022?

No, due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, FIFA made the decision to exclude them from the qualification process for the Qatar World Cup. This came as no surprise to the footballing community, with Russia also having been banned from participating in a range of other international events.

Prepare for the Qatar World Cup with Avec Sport

Even with the countless World Cup controversies surrounding 2022’s event, there’s no denying that, as those first matches get nearer and nearer, excitement at the pure joy of football is starting to build. However you’re planning to watch the Qatar World Cup, make sure you stay on top of the schedule, matches and kick off times with the team here at Avec Sport.