FIFA World Cup: From the perfect fixtures to the most important stars, all of the issues you should know in regards to the occasion

By Rounaq Sehrawat: With legends of the sport like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo vying to complete their careers with a World Cup trophy to Kylian Mbappe and France trying to finish the World champions’ curse and win back-to-back titles, we check out all of the issues you should know because the FIFA World Cup will get set to kick-off in Qatar.

When is the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup will kick-off on November 20, when host nation Qatar faces off with Ecuador on the Al Bayt Stadium. The match will finish on December 18, when the ultimate might be performed on the Lusail Stadium. Interestingly, that is the first-ever FIFA World Cup to be performed within the southern hemisphere, and is being held within the winter quite than the traditional June-July months.

Stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup might be held in eight completely different stadiums throughout Qatar, particularly the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Stadium 974, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, and Al Wakrah Sports Complex.

Lusail Stadium in Lusail in Doha, Qatar (AP)

The groups which have certified for the 2022 World Cup

The 32 nations which have certified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are Qatar (Hosts), Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, The Netherlands, Uruguay, Croatia, Denmark, Mexico, the United States, Senegal, Wales, Poland, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Switzerland, Ghana, Korea Republic, Cameroon, Serbia, Canada, Costa Rica, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ecuador.

Biggest stars on the Qatar World Cup

Lionel Messi: The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might be making an attempt to cement his place amongst the perfect to ever play the sport by including a FIFA World Cup to his large trophy cabinet.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi waves earlier than a pleasant soccer match between Argentina and UAE (AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese ahead might be auditioning for his new membership on the FIFA World Cup after falling out with Manchester United in the previous few days.

Neymar: The Brazilian ahead can have the burden of his nation’s expectations on his shoulders as soon as once more, as he tries to information the Selecao to their sixth World Cup title.

Kylian Mbappe: The 23-year-old famous person will hope to interrupt the World champion’s curse and information France to back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles.

Kevin De Bruyne: The metronomic Manchester City midfielder might be Belgium’s prime hope going into the Qatar World Cup. He, together with the remainder of Belgium’s ‘Golden generation’, will attempt to stay as much as their tag in Qatar.

Best fixtures on the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Argentina vs Mexico: Messi and his males will face Mexico in an important Group-C match on November 26 on the Lusail Stadium. The match may even tackle added significance for Mexico supervisor Tata Martino, an Argentine who beforehand coached the nationwide crew.

Spain vs Germany: Arguably the most important recreation of the group-stage, the 2014 World Champions will tackle the 2010 champions in a hotly-contested match on November 27.

Portugal vs Uruguay: Ronaldo’s Portugal will lock horns with two-time World Cup winners Uruguay in Group-H in what guarantees to be a high-octane encounter on November 28.

Cristiano Ronaldo runs with a ball throughout a Portugal coaching session (AP)

France vs Denmark: The hardest matchup for the defending champions will come within the type of Denmark on November 26. The match might be performed at Stadium 974 and can most likely resolve who tops Group-D on the FIFA World Cup.

Belgium vs Croatia: Belgium will tackle 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia in Group-F on the Al Rayyan Stadium on December 1.

Young stars to be careful for

Jude Bellingham: The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is a crucial cog in Gareth Southgate’s England equipment and might be one to be careful in Qatar. At simply 19 years of age, Bellingham already has 17 appearances for England on the senior stage.

Pedri: The Barcelona and Spain midfielder might be dictating phrases in Qatar. At 19, Pedri already has greater than 100 appearances in La Liga and is dubbed the subsequent Iniesta by many followers.

Charles de Ketelaere: The versatile AC Milan midfielder might be essential for Belgium’s success in Qatar. With the likes of Eden Hazard off form, de Ketelaere can have impactful video games within the FIFA World Cup.

Jamal Musiala: Bayern Munich’s star attacking-midfielder might be important for Germany in Qatar. The 19-year-old selected to signify Germany over England and might be enjoying his first FIFA World Cup.

Germany’s Jamal Musiala in motion with England’s Declan Rice (Reuters)

Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid’s star winger might be enjoying his first FIFA World Cup. The 22-year-old is a certain starter in Brazil’s crew and must bear the burden of being favorites in Qatar.

Favorites and darkish horses

Brazil, Argentina and France are the three clear favorites to elevate the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil are the primary ranked crew on this planet and are stuffed with star names like Neymar, Marquinhos, Alisson and Thiago Silva. They have gained the World Cup 5 occasions (2002, 1994, 1970, 1962, 1958).

Argentina might be hoping Lionel Messi can expertise a ultimate hurrah and assist them elevate the celebrated trophy. They have gained the World Cup twice up to now (1986, 1978).

France are the holding champions and are stuffed to the brim with fire-power. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Rafael Varane and Hugo Lloris, Les Bleus are a formidable aspect.

France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup (AP)

Belgium, Spain, Germany, England and Portugal are the darkish horses to elevate the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy.

Belgium will depend on their golden technology to return good in Qatar. The closest the Red Devils have come to the trophy was over the past version, once they completed third.

Spain might be trying to repeat 2010’s heroics beneath the steerage of former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique. Spain has a comparatively younger squad that may play with out the burden of expectations on them.

Die Mannschaft might be trying to find their fifth World Cup title as Hansi Flick takes cost of the crew. With the likes of Leroy Sane, Kai Havertz and Joshua Kimmich of their aspect, Germany might be a crew to keep away from in Qatar.

In what might be Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth FIFA World Cup, he might be trying to bow out with a triumph in Qatar. Portugal has by no means gained the World Cup and might be trying to change that.

England might be making an attempt to convey the FIFA World Cup residence with Gareth Southgate getting a second pop on the occasion. With a star-studded line-up, England will look to win their first World Cup since 1966.

Edited By:

Rounaq Sehrawat

Published On:

Nov 19, 2022