It is football World Cup time. Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 for the first time and the tournament kicks off tonight with the host nation facing Ecuador in a Group A match.
Ahead of the start of football’s premier competition, The Federal presents to you a complete guide on the FIFA World Cup 2022
FIFA World Cup 2022 dates, matches, times
The tournament commences on November 20 (Sunday) and ends on December 18 (Sunday). A total of 64 matches will be played over 29 days. The final will be played on Qatar National Day (December 18).
In 2018, France lifted the trophy by beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia
Qatar is the first Middle East nation to host the FIFA World Cup. This year’s tournament is also the first winter World Cup. Qatar, as the host, got an automatic entry to the World Cup, and it marks its first appearance in the showpiece event and overall 80th country to feature in the World Cup.
With 11,581 square kilometres in area, Qatar is the smallest country ever to host the World Cup. This will also be the most-expensive football World Cup with Qatar spending over $200 billion
A shortage of accommodation in Qatar means a total of 168 shuttle flights will transport fans from neighbouring countries on each day of the World Cup. They include 60 daily flights from Dubai, 48 from Muscat (Oman), 40 from Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and 20 from Kuwait City, according to a report on France24
8 stadiums
There are eight stadiums which will host the FIFA World Cup 2022. Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium are the eight venues.
According to the organisers, Stadium 974 is constructed entirely from shipping containers and modular steel. It is the first fully demountable covered football stadium. The stadium is named after Qatar’s international dialling code (+974) and also due to the use of 974 shipping containers.
The Lusail Stadium will host the final and it is the largest among the eight World Cup venues, in terms of capacity. It can accommodate 80,000 spectators.
Teams and groups
There are 32 teams competing in the World Cup. They are divided into eight groups of four each. After the round-robin phase, the top two from each group progress to the Round of 16 knockout stage, then quarter-finals, semi-finals and the big final.
As many as 831 players are in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Each team can pick a maximum of 26 players. In previous editions, teams were allowed to send only 23-man squads. However, things have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most experienced player
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the most experienced player at this year’s World Cup. He has played in 101 international matches and also has scored the most goals – 117.
Youngest player
Germany’s striker Youssoufa Moukoko, who turns 18 today (November 20), will be the youngest player at the World Cup in Qatar and if he gets to play, he will become the youngest player to play at the tournament in 20 years and the ninth youngest overall, as per FIFA.
Oldest player
Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, 40, will be the oldest player in Qatar and could become the eighth oldest player to feature at the tournament, according to FIFA.
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