32 TEAMS IN HUNT

Here’s what you need to know about the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar:

❚ This year’s World Cup in Qatar will be held from Nov 20Dec. 18.

❚ The tournament will begin with a Group A match between host Qatar and Ecuador on Nov. 20.

❚ The World Cup will start a day earlier than originally scheduled to ensure Qatar plays the opening match.

❚ The World Cup will feature 32 teams and will begin with a group stage, with teams divided into eight groups of four.

Group A: Qatar (host), Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

❚ Games will take place at eight stadiums: Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.

❚ With 80,000 seats, Lusail Iconic Stadium is the largest of Qatar’s eight World Cup stadiums.

❚ All the stadiums are located within 40 kilometres of central Doha.

❚ There will be a round robin format in the group stage when each of the 32 teams plays three matches.

❚ Teams will get three points for a win and one for a draw. The final group stage match will be played on Dec. 2.

❚ The top two in each group advance to the last 16. The knockout rounds will begin on Dec. 3 and will feature oneoff matches, which can go to extra time and then penalties to decide the winner.

❚ The final will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18.