Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup - A list of fixtures and favourites

Although there have been numerous challenges from a 2-year-long pandemic to concerns of extreme weather, the 2022 FIFA World Cup goes ahead as scheduled on the 20th of November. For the first time since the iconic 2010 World Cup in SA, the event is once again hosted in an entirely new location - the oil-rich nation of Qatar in the Middle East.
 

Image Source: Bleacherreport.com

Surprises
 

Despite the fact that the World Cup is widely popular in South Africa, we have only competed three times (1998, 2002, 2010) since the first World Cup in 1930, when Uruguay took the title in a pivotal 4 - 2 win against Argentina. Our last debut was in 2010 when South Africa had the honour of hosting. All host nations are automatically qualified and traditionally kick off the competition in the first match. 
 

Shocking for some, Italy, the four-time winner and qualifying for 18 of 22 World Cup championships, will not be present this year after a poor showing in the qualifiers. They join regulars like Chile and Russia who will both be sitting it out this year.
 

Other surprises for the year feature the return of Canada, which hasn't been in the World Cup  since 1986. The UK nation of Wales' first and only debut was in 1958, they'll be making a 65-year comeback in 2022. Finally, the nation of Qatar will be hosting AND debuting in its first-ever World Cup final.

Our favourites to win
 

Image Source: Fourfourtwo.com

While the World Cup is always filled with surprises, such as the shocking 7-1 defeat host nation Brazil suffered to Germany in 2014 (Germany went on to win the title), pound for pound, these five nations are clear favourites.
 

5 Argentina - With a FIFA ranking of 4th place, Argentina has a strong chance of adding a 2nd star to their jersey. While the legendary and late Diego Maradona is still heralded as Argentina's star striker, many are hoping that football's most popular player, Lionel Messi, will have the chance to take home the cup for the white and blue.
 

4 Spain - Ranked 7th, Spain has an incredibly strong chance since breaking the mould back in 2010, denying 3-time finalist, The Netherlands, and taking the title as world champions for the first time. 
 

3 England - Our list's underdogs are ranked 5th and have an extremely good shot following a spectacular performance in the 2020 Euro final where they lost to Italy (who for some reason failed to qualify this year). Coming fourth in the last World Cup, England is hoping to secure a 2nd title since they last won in 1966.
 

2 France - Les Blues, ranked 3rd, are the clear favourites this year. After clinching the 2021 UEFA Nations League, the current World Cup champions are hoping to keep the momentum going as they clash with the world's finest.
 

1 Brazil - Known as The Samba Boys, Brazil is ranked 1st and is hoping to secure its 6th title. They previously won back in 2002, and although they have suffered surprise losses in each subsequent World Cup, the world's most renowned football team are primed for a 20-year comeback.

Fixtures List
 

As always, a host of 32 nations will feature in eight brand-new stadiums from downtown Doha to the pristine and futuristic seaside of Al Khor City. The first game, as tradition dictates, will be played between the hosts Qatar and Ecuador on the 20th of November 2022 at 6 pm. Here are the confirmed teams, groups and fixture times.

There will be a total of 64 matches played over the course of the month with an average of three to four matches a day

Group Stage matches
 

Round of 16

Quarter Finals 

Semi Finals

Third Place and Finals 

For more information, please visit the Official Page
 

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