The 2022 FIFA World Cup is only a few months away and every country is accounted for. The group stage matchups are set and we can begin to project who might be in best position to advance from the knockouts.
England landed the USA in Group B, Argentina and Lionel Messi will go up against Mexico in Group C, and it'll be Luis Suarez and Uruguay looking to spoil a potential final World Cup tournament for Cristiano Ronaldo in Group H.
The tournament kicks off on Monday, Nov. 21 and will be wrapped up in less than a month with the final tabbed for Sunday, Dec. 18. Brazil enter as the No. 1 team in the world and have a manageable group to navigate, while defending champions France are expected to finish top in their group with a chance to build a head of steam into the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Which teams could surprise? African champions Senegal are one of the stronger teams in Group A, which also features hosts Qatar. In its first participation in 37 years, Canada landed in Group F, where it will like its chances to battle Morocco and Croatia for second place behind Belgium.
WORLD CUP DRAW BREAKDOWNS:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
World Cup 2022 tournament format
The 2022 World Cup tournament will follow along the lines of recent editions with a 32-team group stage which whittles the field down to 16 teams — only the top two teams from each of the eight groups survive.
Those 16 group-stage teams advance to the single-game knockout stages — Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, final — where the winner moves on and the loser goes home. There must be a winner on the day for every knockout round match, and extra time and penalty kicks will be used, if necessary, to determine a victor.
- Group stage: Nov. 21-Dec. 2
- Round of 16: Dec. 3-6
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 9-10
- Semifinals: Dec. 13-14
- Third-place match: Dec. 17
- Final: Dec. 18
When do World Cup matches start in Qatar?
There will be up to four matches daily during the group stage and they will be staggered throughout the day. The only matches that will overlap are the ones played on the final day of the group stage phase and that's purely for competitive integrity.
Every time zone in the world will get a chance to watch matches at decent times throughout the day. Here's a breakdown of how the local kickoff times in Qatar translate across regions around the world.
| Stage(s) | Local
(Qatar) | USA & Canada
(ET) | UK
(GMT) | Australia
(AEDT) | India
(IST) |
| Group stage only | 1 p.m. | 5 a.m. | 10 a.m. | 9 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Group stage only | 4 p.m. | 8 a.m. | 1 p.m. | 12 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Knockouts only | 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. | 3 p.m. | 2 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. |
| Group stage only | 7 p.m. | 11 a.m. | 4 p.m. | 3 a.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| Group/Knockouts | 10 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 7 p.m. | 6 a.m. | 12:30 a.m.
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MORE WORLD CUP 2022:
Full draw results | TV schedule | Latest news
Complete World Cup 2022 match schedule
World Cup Group A table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| A1: Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A2: Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A3: Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A4: Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group A match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | Senegal vs. Netherlands | 5 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | Qatar vs. Ecuador | 11 a.m. | Al Bayt |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Qatar vs. Senegal | 8 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Netherlands vs. Ecuador | 11 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Netherlands vs. Qatar | 10 a.m. | Al Bayt |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Ecuador vs. Senegal | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
World Cup Group B table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| B1: England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B2: Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B3: USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B4: Wales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group B match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | England vs. Iran | 8 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | USA vs. Wales | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Wales vs. Iran | 5 a.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | England vs. USA | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Wales vs. England | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Iran vs. USA | 2 p.m. | Al Thumama |
World Cup Group C table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| C1: Argentina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C2: Saudi Arabia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C3: Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C4: Poland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group C match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Argentina vs. S. Arabia | 5 a.m. | Lusail |
| Tues, Nov. 22 | Mexico vs. Poland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Poland vs. S. Arabia | 8 a.m. | Education City |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Argentina vs. Mexico | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Poland vs. Argentina | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | S. Arabia vs. Mexico | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
World Cup Group D table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| D1: France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D2: Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D3: Denmark | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D4: Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group D match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | Denmark vs. Tunisia | 8 a.m. | Education City |
| Tue, Nov. 22 | France vs. Australia | 2 p.m. | Al Janoub |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | Tunisia vs. Australia | 5 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Sat, Nov. 26 | France vs. Denmark | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Tunisia vs. France | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Wed, Nov. 30 | Australia vs. Denmark | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
World Cup Group E table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| E1: Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E2: Costa Rica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E3: Germany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E4: Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group E match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Germany vs. Japan | 8 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain vs. Costa Rica | 11 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Japan vs. Costa Rica | 5 a.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Spain vs. Germany | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Japan vs. Spain | 2 p.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Costa Rica vs. Germany | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup Group F table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| F1: Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F2: Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F3: Morocco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F4: Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group F match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Morocco vs. Croatia | 5 a.m. | Al Bayt |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Belgium vs. Canada | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Belgium vs. Morocco | 8 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Croatia vs. Canada | 11 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Croatia vs. Belgium | 10 a.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Canada vs. Morocco | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
World Cup Group G table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| G1: Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G2: Serbia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G3: Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G4: Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group G match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Switzerland vs. Cameroon | 5 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Brazil vs. Serbia | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Cameroon vs. Serbia | 5 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Brazil vs. Switzerland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Cameroon vs. Brazil | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Serbia vs. Switzerland | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
World Cup Group H table & fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|
| H1: Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H2: Ghana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H3: Uruguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| H4: South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group H match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Uruguay vs. South Korea | 8 a.m. | Education City |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Portugal vs. Ghana | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | South Korea vs. Ghana | 8 a.m. | Education City |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Portugal vs. Uruguay | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | South Korea vs. Portugal | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Ghana vs. Uruguay | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
World Cup Round of 16
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | 1A vs. 2B | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | 1C vs. 2D | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | 1D vs. 2C | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | 1B vs. 2A | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1E vs. 2F | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1G vs. 2H | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1F vs. 2E | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1H vs. 2G | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
World Cup Quarterfinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF1: 1E/2F vs. 1G/2H | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF2: 1A/2B vs. 1C/2D | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF3: 1F/2E vs. 1H/2G | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF4: 1B/2A vs. 1D/2C | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Dec. 13 | QF2 vs. QF1 | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | QF4 vs. QF3 | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup 3rd Place
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17 | Semifinal losers | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
World Cup Final
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Semifinal winners | 10 a.m. | Lusail |
