The football competition held as part of the Summer Olympics was accorded the most respect prior to the World Cup’s debut. However, the 1920s saw a professionalization of the sport that was at odds with the Olympic ideals. As a result, FIFA, a government organization, prepared to host a World Cup. On May 26, 1928, the decision to organize the first edition was made in writing.

Since 1930, when Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup match, the competition has taken place every four years. However, there were unofficial pre-FIFA World Cups held as early as the late 1800s, when there were not many national teams. Before 1930, there was also the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, which was held in 1909 and 1911. In addition, the Summer Olympic football tournaments would serve as a benchmark for the top national teams prior to 1930. But only amateur teams competed in the Olympic events; the World Cup was the “real deal.”

The opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup between the host nation Qatar and Ecuador will take place on November 20. Here is all the information you need to know about the competition this year.

When is the World Cup?

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup, with games beginning on November 20 and continuing through the Dec. 18 championship game. Dec. 2 marks the end of the group stage, and the round of 16 matches start the following day. On Dec. 9, the quarter-finals will begin, and on Dec. 13, the semifinals.

The World Cup is held in November; why?

In order to avoid the Middle Eastern nation’s extreme summer temperatures, which can range from 95 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the World Cup was shifted from its customary June-July timeframe.

For the World Cup in Qatar, what do I need?

For entry into the nation, football fans will require a Hayya Card. Entry will only be permitted with these cards between November 1 and December 23, 2018. You’ll need one even if you don’t intend to watch any of the games. Match ticket holders may apply online and bring up to three extra guests who do not have tickets. Once you have your Hayya Card, you may enter Qatar on several occasions during the World Cup and may stay there until 23 January 2023. On match days, you’ll also have free access to the bus, metro, and tram with the Hayya Card.

How can I make hotel reservations for the World Cup in Qatar?

Compared to other World Cup competitions, the lodging reservation process is a little different. Visitors are directed to the tournament’s official booking agency website for hotels, villas, apartments, and fan villages whether or not they are attending a match.

Qatar’s LGBTQ rights

In Qatar, homosexuality is forbidden. This is blatantly against FIFA’s declared anti-homophobia guidelines. In addition to the aforementioned concerns surrounding this host country, there has been growing worry about how the hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists who will inevitably come to the country will be treated. In response, Qatar said they would “comply with FIFA guidelines encouraging tolerance and inclusiveness at matches.” This implies that stadiums are the only places where rainbow flags, t-shirts, and other items will be seen. How the Qatari authorities and law enforcement will respond to any public displays of support for LGBTQ people or otherwise remains to be seen.

Which nations are competing in the World Cup?

There are 32 countries participating in the 2022 World Cup when Canada, Mexico, and the United States host the event in 2026. Only Qatar is competing in its inaugural World Cup after being selected as the host nation by default. The Netherlands, Ghana, Ecuador, Cameroon, and the United States are all participating after missing the 2018 event. Canada will play in just its second World Cup and will be making its first appearance since 1986.

How many teams will participate in the World Cup?

32 teams will compete in the event this year, divided into eight groups of four teams each, denoted by the letters A through H. The number of teams will increase to 46 for the first time in 2026, though.

Whom do people favor?

Brazil, England, and Argentina are among the tournament favorites, along with defending champion France. Beyond Brazil and Argentina, European teams like Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands are heavily favored by oddsmakers. To identify long shots outside of Europe, where Uruguay, Senegal, and the United States have lower odds, look past the top 10 favorites.

What occurs following the group stage?

Starting with round 16, the knockout stage will feature the group winners and runners-up. It then becomes a single-elimination tournament with bracket-style play.

How long is a soccer match in the World Cup?

A match consists of two 1.5-hour halves that could include extra “injury time” for disruptions like injuries and penalties at the conclusion of each half. A game in the group stage could conclude in a draw. In the knockout rounds, if two teams are tied after regulation, a further two 15-minute minutes will be played to decide the victor. After then, if the score is still tied, penalty kicks are used to decide the game.

How often are matches in the World Cup?

With two exceptions, the World Cup has been held every four years since the first competition in Uruguay in 1930. Due to World War II, the 1942 event was postponed, and FIFA was unable to host a 1946 event after the war. In 1950, it began again in Brazil.

In the World Cup, how do teams advance?

Teams receive 3 points if they win, one point for a draw, and none for a defeat when they play each of their three group opponents once. In each group, the top two teams progress to the round of 16.

What time does the World Cup start?

To uphold the custom of the host nation hosting the tournament’s opening match, the start of this year’s World Cup was formally moved up by one day in August. The match between Senegal and the Netherlands was moved to the evening of November 21 in favor of Qatar’s Nov. 20 encounter versus Ecuador.

Which nation has the most World Cup victories?

Brazil has won five World Cups, more than any other male team. With four championships under its belt, Italy comes in second only to Germany in that regard if the three titles won in 1954, 1974, and 1990 when West Germany are counted. The most recent victory, France’s second, came in 2018.

How has the 2022 World Cup been impacted by the coronavirus?

In agreement with FIFA, continental federations were forced to delay World Cup qualification, however some teams later withdrew after the qualifying matches had already started. In May, North Korea reportedly dropped from Asian qualifiers due to fears about the coronavirus. Small Pacific nations Vanuatu and the Cook Islands quit in March after epidemics struck both squads.

How are the World Cup groupings chosen?

During the World Cup draw in April, groups were chosen. Based on their world rankings, qualifying teams were placed into four pots before the draw, from best to worst . Teams that had not yet earned a spot in the international playoffs were also represented in that draw by stand-ins. Based on the outcomes of the draw, which was governed by regulations to avoid too many teams from the same region from being paired together, the teams were divided into eight groups of four.

Who will host the 2026 World Cup, in the future?

The World Cup will be held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in 2026. The World Cup was held in the United States in 1994, and in Mexico in 1986. Although it hosted the women’s World Cup in 2015, Canada has never hosted a men’s World Cup.

Conclusion

In terms of population and land area, Qatar is the smallest country to have ever hosted the World Cup. The smallest country to hold an event of this magnitude is Qatar, with a population of about 2.6 million. Following South Korea and Japan in 2002, this will be the second occasion an Asian nation has hosted the tournament. The FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time in an Arab nation in Qatar. Qatar will, in any case, become the first Arab or Muslim country to host the entire event.

Qatar spent more than $220 billion to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Russia invested $15 billion in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in contrast to Brazil’s $20 billion investment in the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The tournament is anticipated to generate a $20 billion economic benefit for Qatar. For the championships, Qatar built a new airport, metro, and highways in addition to seven stadiums. The World Cup 2022 Final will be held at a brand-new stadium that also hosts nine other games and serves as the focal point of a brand-new city.