Soccer World Cup 2022 Qatar (Teams + Fixtures + Schedule + Controversy!)

Christmas comes early in 2022, with the World Cup set to take place in November and December. As anticipation reaches a feverish peak, it’s time to look at what Qatar offers. 

The soccer World Cup in 2022 will aptly mark the 22nd time this storied competition takes place. It is the first-ever winter World Cup and the first to be hosted by an Arab nation.

This article covers the tournament from start to finish, and we even look into some of the more controversial topics circulating.

Will 5 time winners and betting favorites, Brazil, lift the trophy once again, or will we see a new team on the podium on December 18th? Let us know what you think!

Soccer World Cup 2022: The Breakdown

With the 2022/23 season already underway, the World Cup will be here in a flash. This article looks at what you can expect from the 2022 World Cup. From the key dates to how to get tickets, here’s everything you need to know. 

Key Dates For The World Cup 2022

Work or school schedules combined with Qatar’s time difference means you’ll need to earmark certain dates to avoid missing the big games. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are the important occasions to keep an eye out for: 

• Sunday, November 20th: Opening game – Qatar vs. Ecuador
• Monday, November 21st: Group B game – USA vs. Wales
• Friday, November 25th: Group B game – USA vs. England
• Tuesday, November 29th: Group B game – USA vs. Iran
• Saturday, December 3rd: Start of Round of 16 games
• Friday, December 9th: Start of Quarter-finals games
• Tuesday, December 13th: Start of Semi-finals games
• Sunday, December 18th: World Cup Final

How Much Are World Cup Tickets?

Official World Cup game tickets are sold exclusively by FIFA through a categorized phased process. The starting price for a ticket is around $11. However, these are category 4 tickets and are reserved for Qatari residents only.

Category 1, 2, and 3 tickets are available to the general republic. Category 1 tickets are the most expensive, while category 3 tickets are the cheapest. 

The prices change depending on the tournament stage, with tickets getting gradually more expensive as the competition progresses. The prices range as follows: 

• Opening Game: $550-$305
• Group Stages Game: $11-$220
• Round of 16 Game: $20-$275
• Quarter-Finals Game: $83-$426
• Semi-Finals Game: $138-$955
• Third-Place Playoff Game: $83-$426
• World Cup Final: $206-$1,605

Tickets are made available by FIFA at set intervals and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Unsurprisingly, they sell out fast. FIFA also holds ticket lotteries for applicants. This may be your best shot at getting some at a reasonable price. 

FIFA also facilitates ticket resales through its website. However, this platform isn’t always available. Unauthorized ticket redistribution is strictly prohibited. 

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Qatar 2022?

US fans attending a single World Cup group stage game can enjoy a budget-friendly week-long stay in Qatar for approximately $2,600 to $3,000. This includes flights, accommodation, and food. Any extra expenditure is down to you. 

To give you a better idea of how the costs, here is a breakdown of the major expenses: 

• Average return plane ticket from New York: $1,290
• Hotel accommodation: $85-$5,000 per night
• Average meal for 2: $15-$25
• Group stage game ticket: $70-$220 (non-Qatari residents)

You can enjoy Qatar’s public transport for free if you have a match ticket. Qatar also has ride-hailing apps like Uber, which typically cost a fraction of the price in the U.S. 

Qualified Teams Soccer World Cup 2022

32 teams will contest the 2022 World Cup. Apart from Qatar, all teams qualified automatically as hosts had to come through qualifiers to earn their places. 211 eligible teams competed in qualifying rounds organized by six individual FIFA member associations.

Interestingly, Qatar is the only tournament debutant. This means it is the first-ever World Cup where no qualifying team is making its first appearance. 24 competing teams also participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The United States is returning after missing out in 2018, while Canada will make their first appearance at a World Cup for 36 years since their last showing in Mexico (1986).

The Russian National Team was disqualified from the tournament because the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The current European Championships holders, Italy, were dealt a surprise exit in the qualifying stages after losing to North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals.

This is their second successive World Cup omission. Italy is the only former World Cup winner that didn’t qualify for the tournament. 

Qualified Teams From Each Soccer Confederation

Here is the breakdown of the teams representing FIFA’s membership confederations, along with their World Cup records:

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Confederation of African Football (CAF)

Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)

South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

World Cup 2022 Groups – League Stage

The World Cup group stages mark the beginning of the tournament. Every team participates in this leg of the competition.

The 32 nations are divided into 8 groups of 4, with the top 2 teams from each pool advancing to the round of 16. Within the groups, each team plays against one another once. 

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Schedule of The 2022 World Cup

Due to the unusual timing of the competition, the 2022 World Cup schedule is more compact than usual. It will last 29 days, marking the shortest tournament since the 32-team format was introduced.

Here’s how the schedule breaks down: 

Group Stages 

The group stages commence on Sunday, November 20th, when Qatar faces off against Ecuador in the opening game. The final group games will take place on Friday, December 2nd. The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the next round.

Round of 16 

In the round of 16, the winners of each group will play a runner-up from another group. These games will be played between December 3rd and 6th. The match-ups are set to go as follows: 

1. Winner of Group A vs. Runner-Up of Group B
2. Winner of Group C vs. Runner-Up of Group D
3. Winner of Group E vs. Runner-Up of Group F
4. Winner of Group G vs. Runner-Up of Group H
5. Winner of Group B vs. Runner-Up of Group A
6. Winner of Group D vs. Runner-Up of Group C
7. Winner of Group F vs. Runner-Up of Group E
8. Winner of Group H vs. Runner-Up of Group G

Quarter-Finals 

Round 16 winners advance to the quarter-finals, which will occur on December 9th and 10th. The games will be contested in the following order:

1. Round of 16 Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
2. Round of 16 Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4
3. Round of 16 Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6
4. Round of 16 Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8

Semi-Finals 

With just 4 teams remaining, the semi-finals will be settled on December 13th and 14th. Here’s how the match-ups will look:

1. Winner of QF1 vs. Winner of QF2
2. Winner of QF3 vs. Winner of QF4

Third-Place Playoff

The losing semi-finalists compete in the bronze medal game on December 17th. 

Final

The holy grail of soccer, the World Cup Final, will be held on Sunday, December 18th, at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail.

The current betting favorites are Brazil, closely followed by France, England, Spain, Argentina, and Germany. 

Soccer World Cup 2022: Overview

The 2022 World Cup takes place in Qatar under unique circumstances. The dates and location have caused a stir among fans, pundits, and players.

The 2022 World Cup is the first tournament during the northern hemisphere winter. It will disrupt the regular season in the world’s most popular leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, and MLS. 

The Qatar World Cup is not only the first tournament to be held in winter but also the first to be held in an Arab nation.

It’s only the second to occur in Asia, with the first being the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Interestingly, the 2022 tournament will also be the last to feature the 32-team format. The 2026 World Cup will debut a 48-team setup. 

We’ve gathered some of the internet’s most searched queries on the tournament. As a particularly newsworthy tournament, there are plenty of discussion points.

If you’re thinking of making the trip to Qatar or want to get the key details, here’s what you should know. 

Why Is the Qatar World Cup so Controversial?

Unfortunately, the Qatar World Cup has been marred with controversy since it was announced as the host. Many people have protested FIFA’s decision to allow the tournament in Qatar, from bribery allegations to human rights violations. 

While we don’t want to dampen your spirits over the greatest tournament in the soccer calendar, it’s important to acknowledge the looming questions. Here’s a look at some of the main controversies surrounding the event: 

Climate 

Traditionally, World Cups have been played during northern or southern hemisphere summers, making for prime soccer game conditions.

Although several tournaments were played in extreme heat, the temperatures were low compared to a Qatari summer. Average temperatures in June and July are 96°F and 98°F and can rise to over 120°F. 

This caused major concern over both player and fan welfare. Health experts reasoned that the climate would not only affect players’ performance levels but would also pose risks to their health.

Competitors would require additional recovery times between games, lengthening the tournament. Moreover, doctors claimed that it would be impossible for teams and staff to acclimate. 

While suggestions were made to provide cooling systems in the stadiums, they were seen as major logistical obstacles, so the tournament was postponed until winter. This leads us to the next controversy.

Regular Season Disruption

Europe is the home of club soccer, boasting the most watched leagues with the most popular teams. The winter World Cup takes place mid-season, forcing several major leagues and tournaments to adapt their schedule accordingly.

The decision to disrupt the season was pushed back by league governing bodies and big teams. 

The tournament’s timing will undoubtedly cause fixture congestion. However, there are concerns over how players are expected to perform for their clubs and countries.

Time will tell whether the additional number of games will affect injury statistics. 

Bribery 

Now, let’s move on to some of the more serious issues. Since Qatar earned the right to host the World Cup (2011), bribery allegations have circulated.

Senior FIFA officials claimed corruption and money laundering were behind the selection.

While an internal investigation found no evidence of violations, key figures like Sepp Blatter and Michael J. Garcia were not convinced by the findings.

Human Rights Issues

One of the most glaring issues ahead of this World Cup is the suggestions of human rights violations and testing working conditions laborers face.

According to Amnesty International, those responsible for building and preparing the stadiums were subject to forced labor. The organization also reported that migrant workers were forced to pay recruitment fees to get employed. 

The Guardian, a British newspaper, investigated the situation further and found that some workers withheld food and water, had their I.D. paperwork taken away, and weren’t paid on time.

It was estimated that 4,000 workers could die due to the conditions and drew comparisons to slave labor. The Guardian followed up in 2021 by claiming 6,500 migrant workers had died. 

The Qatari government responded by stating there had only been 37 deaths among laborers constructing the stadiums. Safety measures have been implemented between 2014 and 2022 to improve working conditions.

However, with so many conflicting reports, it’s impossible to ignore the concerns.

Cultural and Political Problems

Qatar has never been recognized as a country with a strong soccer culture, drawing questions over whether they are a suitable host nation. Moreover, their failed attempts at naturalizing foreign-born players demonstrate a lack of grassroots-level soccer in the country. 

Cultural factors have also raised concerns for tournament goers. Qatar is governed by a Sharia-based legal system that has strict rules on alcohol consumption and LGBT rights.

Severe prison sentences and even the death penalty can be enforced for serious breaches of the law. However, there are no known cases of the death penalty for homosexuality or consuming alcohol.

Qatar has made commendable adjustments to accommodate a variety of cultures. Special exceptions are being made to allow rainbow pride flags in stadiums, and alcohol will be available from certain vendors.

Can You Drink at Qatar World Cup?

Despite the country’s strong laws prohibiting alcohol consumption, it is set to make concessions for soccer fans. At the time of writing, the situation is yet to be finalized.

However, 2019 trials suggest that there will be designated fan zones where attendees will be free to purchase and drink alcohol. 

There is also a good chance that Budweiser will be available inside stadiums as part of special hospitality packages. It is the official beer partner of the 2022 World Cup.

However, there are likely times when alcohol can be served, and drinking in the stands probably won’t be allowed.

Although alcohol isn’t illegal in Qatar, drinking or being drunk in public is so that you can expect stricter rules than in previous tournaments. Alcohol may only be purchased from licensed hotels, restaurants, and vendors.

Since it is not part of the Qatari culture, it is unlikely to be freely available outside these designated areas.

Joel Powel

Soccer Analyst and Publisher at Soccer Blade | Soccer Blade | + posts

Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.

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