2022 Fifa World Cup Locations, Dates and Times

Source: DHgate, Tag: Fashion & Beauty

The Fifa World Cup 2022 is to be played in Qatar from November 20, 2022, to December 18, 2022. 32 nations will play 64 matches over a month, competing for the most prestigious prize in all sports history. The 22nd edition is the first that will be held in the Middle East region. Due to the extreme summer conditions in Qatar, the 2022 Fifa World Cup is being played in winter so the players can survive and play at their full potential. Below are all the details about the stadiums and teams playing in the World Cup.

Stadiums of Fifa World Cup
The 2022 Fifa World Cup is the most expensive in history, with over $200 billion spent by the Qatari government. 7 out of the 8 stadiums were built especially for the World Cup alone. All the stadiums are very close to each other, with the two farthest being only 34 km. Listed below are all the eight stadiums that will host the competition.
Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium is the only stadium that existed before Qatar and was awarded the honor of hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup. Opened in 1976, the stadium was renovated in 2017 in accordance with the regulations provided by Fifa. This renovation made it legal to host matches throughout the tournament. The stadium has a capacity of 45,418 people and has had the honor of hosting the AFC Asia Cup. The design of the roof and supports, along with the spiral ramp, are similar to those of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. The stadium will host six group stage games, one Round of 16 matches, and the third-place match.
Al Bayt Stadium - Fifa World Cup
The Al Bayt Stadium was constructed just in time for the Fifa World Cup. Finished in 2020, the stadium has an accommodation of 60,000 and is one of the largest stadiums by capacity. This stadium is located on the outskirts of Doha and is the furthest stadium away from all the others. The stadium's design is inspired by the nomadic lifestyle of the people in that specific region. It has a retractable roof, providing shade for the spectators and the players on the field from the extreme desert heat. The exterior and the roof is shaped like a tent, similar to the Pontiac Silverdome used in the 1994 World Cup. The stadium will host 6 group matches, including the opening game, while also hosting 3 knockout matches, one of which is a semifinal. After the conclusion of the World Cup, the capacity of the stadium will be reduced to 32,000 for the local club AL Khor FC.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium - Fifa World Cup
The Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was opened in 2020 for trial runs for hosting the competition. The stadium has a decent capacity of 50,000 spectators. The stadium's design is very similar to the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium used in the Beijing Olympics. The stadium depicts a scenic view in the evening as the sun goes down, beautifying it and making the match experience more pleasurable. The stadium will host 6 group matches and one Round of 16 matches. After the conclusion of the World Cup, it will be downsized to 21,000 seats and will be the home ground of local side Al-Rayyan SC.
Al Janoub Stadium
The stadium was the first one to be built for the World Cup. Opened in 2019, the stadium can hold a maximum capacity of 40,000 supporters. The stadium is one of the most intricately designed of the lot. Located in Al Warkah, the design is inspired by the traditional dhow boats used by pearl divers of the region. Like all the other stadiums, the Al Janoub Stadium has a retractable roof and an installed cooling system. The cooling system will be used to battle the scorching heat of the desert, making playing conditions somewhat bearable. 6 group matches and one Round of 16 matches will be played at the stadium. After the completion of the World Cup, it will be downsized to a capacity of 20,000 and will be the home ground of Al Wakrah SC.
Fifa World Cup Stadium 974
Stadium 974 is the only stadium that is constructed temporarily for the 2022 Fifa World Cup. Having a capacity of 40,000, it is named after the 974 shipping containers used to build the stadium, while some believe that it is named after the international dialing code for Qatar; 974. The containers outside the stadium give it a breathtaking exterior appearance and are one of the most aesthetic-looking stadiums in the world. The stadium has been the subject of many discussions on environmental degradation, as environmentalists believe that constructing a building for only 30 days before demolishing it is a very foolish step. However, the Qatar government has decided to disassemble the building and send the parts to be used by developing countries. The intentional recycling and forward approach is the main selling point of the stadium, which will host 6 group matches along with one Round of 16 games.
Education City Stadium
Opened in early 2020, the Education City Stadium has already hosted renowned events like the 2020 Fifa World Cup and the 2020 AFC Champions league. The exterior design of the stadium is very similar to Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich, one of the most renowned clubs in the world. The stadium is made with the same white bricks and seems like a giant egg that is about to hatch. The interior seats are white and green, making it a very modern and futuristic design. 6 group games, one Round of 16 games, and a quarter-final will take place at a venue that can accommodate 45,350 spectators.
Al Thumama Stadium
Perhaps the most stunning football stadium the world has ever seen, the Al Thumama stadium is an architectural masterpiece. The design of the stadium is inspired by the taqiyah cap worn by most males all over the Middle East. The 40,000-capacity stadium will host 6 group matches, a Round of 16 matches, and a quarterfinal. After the conclusion of the Fifa World Cup, the stadium will be downsized to 20,000 seats, with all the extra material recycled and donated to underdeveloped countries.
Lusail Iconic Stadium
The largest stadium in Qatar, the Lusail Iconic Stadium, was opened in 2021 and can house up to 80,000 spectators. This prestigious stadium will also have the honor of hosting the 2022 World Cup final, along with nine other games. The exterior is covered with golden triangles, while the inside seats follow a white and golden colorway. The general shape resonates with that of the Cape Town Stadium in South Africa. The display of royalty and grandeur in the stadium is why it is considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the footballing world and makes it worthy of being the host to the biggest matches ever. After the conclusion of the tournament, the stadium will be reduced to a capacity of 40,000, with all the extra area being utilized for other facilities like cafes.

Groups and Teams of Fifa World Cup
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group A is a fairly light group with no standout teams in it. However, the dark horses of the tournament may emerge from this group. Qatar qualified directly as the host nation, while Ecuador and Netherlands qualified late into the qualifying rounds in South America and Europe. Senegal, the current AFCON winners, have a lot of confidence on their backs, and they expect their star players to deliver on the big stage.
Players to watch: Sadio Mane, Eduoard Mendy, Memphis Depay
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
Group B is a tricky group. England is the clear favorite to win the group. However, Wales, the USA, and Iran are not to be written off based on all the exciting talent they possess. Wales' shock run to reach the Euros semi-finals is not to be forgotten, as their resilience and determination led them to reach those heights.
Players to watch: Harry Kane, Christian Pulisic, Gareth Bale
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Argentina will be looking to bid Lionel Messi, the most successful individual player of all time, a bidding farewell and try to go all the way in their pursuit of the World Cup. Qualifying from their tricky group is the first hurdle that they will have to manage. Mexico boasts a lot of exciting young talent and can be a surprise package at the World Cup. Poland is slowly becoming a force to reckon with, and with the strike force they possess, they can be a menace to any team.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Lisandro Martinez
Group D: France, Denmark, Australia, Tunisia
Reigning champions France are placed in group D, a group which is expected to win without much trouble. However, getting past their valiant opponents would not be an easy task as teams like Australia and Tunisia may not be strong on paper, but they play with a strong heart. Denmark will be looking to seek redemption after missing out on the Euros due to unfortunate circumstances.
Players to watch: Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Christian Eriksen
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Germany and Spain will fight for the top spot in this group. However, we can't ignore the performances of Costa Rica and Japan in previous events. Costa Rica qualified from the group of death last time out, leaving the world in shock. Japan did the same at the 2010 edition by reaching the quarter-finals. The 2022 World Cup schedule of group E will be one worth watching.
Players to watch: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Pedri
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
The fight for the qualifying spots in Group F will be interesting to watch. Belgium not so long ago was the top-ranked side in the world, but due to star players getting injured, their team has been in a constant downfall. Croatia has a strong midfield, while Canada and Morocco, who are relatively new to the competition, have a point to prove.
Players to watch: Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric, Alphonso Davies
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Tournament favorites Brazil are placed in a tricky group, with teams like Serbia and Switzerland possessing match winners that can change the game around its head. Cameroon will be looking to avenge their early exit in the AFCON and try going all the way to becoming the first African nation to lift the World Cup.
Players to watch: Neymar, Thiago Silva, Aleksandr Mitrovic
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Group H can be seen as the group of death at this year's tournament. The best teams from Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America will be competing for two places in Round 16. Portugal will be looking to send off their legend Cristiano Ronaldo with the only trophy missing from his cabinet. Ghana will be looking to avenge their 2010 loss to Uruguay, while South Korea will pursue its dream of becoming the first Asian team to lift the trophy in Asia.
Players to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo, Fede Valverde, Hueng Min Son

FAQs
Why is the World Cup 2022 in November?
The World Cup is usually played during the summer break. Yet, this time out, it is being played in the winter. The reason is Qatar's extreme climate. In summer, the country's temperature can rise to the high 50s, and playing in that can be a menace. Hence, the tournament is being played at a colder time of the year allowing players to play in decent weather conditions.
Why is the FIFA World Cup in Qatar?
In 2010, Qatar won the most votes in the election, making it the host of the 2022 World Cup edition. It is the first time a competition of this magnitude is taking place in the Middle Eastern region.
How will Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup work?
To counter the harsh climate, the tournament has been shifted to winter to save players from playing in the harsh heat. In addition to this, seven new stadiums have been constructed in the past years. These stadiums will come equipped with climate control features allowing the playing conditions to become bearable.
Can you drink in Qatar?
Qatar is an Islamic state, and as Muslims don't drink, Qatar has a general rule of not allowing alcoholic drinks. However, to cater to all kinds of fans, the consumption of alcohol is allowed in specially designed areas, like the Fan Park.
What does FIFA stand for in English?
Fifa stands for International Federation of Association Football. This governing body looks over the game and ensures it is played properly worldwide.

Conclusion
The 2022 Fifa World Cup is going to be a lot of fun and is going to be a festive yet competitive event. The 2022 World Cup schedule is such that the earliest match will be played at 10:00 GMT and the latest at 19:00 GMT. The tournament is going to be a very exciting watch attracting billions across the world. It is also the final goodbye to two of the best players the world has ever seen. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to add the last, most prestigious trophy to their cabinet and finish their careers on a high. Qatar 2022 is surely going to be a blast.