Who Viewer's Guide for the World Cup in Qatar

One of the most eagerly anticipated World Cups in memory — as much for off-the-field reasons as those on it — begins Sunday in Qatar.

Thirty-two teams, 64 matches, 29 days. The first World Cup in the Middle East.

League play around the world has paused, and now soccer's focus is on Qatar, whose national team opens the tournament with a match against Ecuador.

Here are a few things to watch when group games get going in the smallest country ever to host a World Cup, where some fans will be staying in floating hotels when they head over to take in the action:

TOP TEAMS Brazil (No. 1 in FIFA ranking). Neymar, Vinicius Junior and the rest of the flair-filled See cap are peaking at the right time. Is a first World Cup title since 2002 on the horizon?

Belgium (No. 2). The “Golden Generation” is gradually breaking up, 'but' there’s still Kevin De Bruyne leading the Belgian charge. There is a doubt about the fitness of Romelu Lukaku, however.

Argentina (No. 3). No World Cup title since the days of the great Diego Maradona. This will be the first World Cup since his death in November 2020 and Argentina has improved under coach Lionel calzoni with Messi still at its core and leading the team on a 35-match unbeaten run.

France (No. 4). The defending champions. Still, the country with the most depth to its squad, despite an injury list that includes Paul Pogba and N'Solo Kane. Now with Mbappé AND Karim Benzema leading the attack. No team has retained its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.

England (No. 5). The team has hit a bad patch of form — winless in six games — but has a strong track record in recent major tournaments. England was a semifinalist at the World Cup in 2018 and a finalist at the European Championship in 2021.

Read up on all 32 teams who will be playing in the World Cup.

BIG STARS, Lionel Messi, Argentina. The seven-time world player of the year might have been saving his 35-year-old legs for one last push at a World Cup winner’s medal that, to many, would solidify him as soccer’s greatest player. He is in stellar form for Paris Saint-Germain at the moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal. He has won the European Championship, but the leading scorer in men’s international soccer hasn’t played in a World Cup final, let alone won one. He’s 37 years old now and no longer first choice at Manchester United — so make the most of him while you can.

Kylian Mbappé, France. The star of the last World Cup at the age of 19 and he is only getting better. The speedy striker could match Brazil great Pelé in being a champion at his first two World Cups.

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium. Widely regarded as the world’s best midfielder, his driving runs and crossing are among the best sights in soccer. Belgium will be thankful he is arriving in Qatar healthy.

Neymar, Brazil. Often overshadowed by Mbappé and Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, still the main man for Brazil. Watch out for tricks and flicks, and some histrionics, too.