FIFA World Cup 2022 is just a couple of months away, with 32 teams confirmed and placed in their respective groups. In this edition of the football World Cup, you will see a more balanced group for minnows and underdogs to showcase their prowess.
Like previous editions, Brazil, France, and Germany secured their place as top favorites. The group stage matches are decided and this is the time where you begin with predictions to advance from knockouts. England landed the USA in Group B, Lionel Messi and Argentina will compete against Mexico in Group C, and Luis Suarez and Uruguay are all set for Cristiano Ronaldo in Group H.
When FIFA World Cup 2022 will take place?
The most awaited tournament kicks off on November 21, Monday, and will be wrapped up in less than a month with the final match on December 18, Sunday. Brazil will enter as the first team and have a group to navigate while defending France to finish top in their group.
Wondering which teams could surprise more this year? African champions Senegal is one of the leading teams in Group A, which also features host Qatar. In its first-time participating in 37 years, Canada secured its spot in Group F, which increases its chances to battle Morocco and Croatia for second place behind Belgium.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Format
FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament will follow the paths of recent editions with a 32-team group stage that fields down to 16 teams, meaning only the top two teams from each of the eight groups will survive in the battle.
16 group stage teams advance to single-game knockout stages – Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. There will be a winner on the day of every knockout round match and the extra time and penalty kicks will be used, if required, to identify 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
At What Time World Cup Matches Begin in Qatar?
Up to 4 matches will be held on a daily basis during the group stage. The only matches that will be overlapped are the ones to be played on the final day of the group stage phase and that’s for competitive integrity. Each time zone will get an opportunity to watch matches at decent timeframes throughout the day.
Below is the breakdown of kickoff times in Qatar across different regions of 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. |
Betting on FIFA World Cup 2022?
Let’s not forget to watch out for top predictions and picks for the group stage. Argentina is predicted to win Group C and Belgium to win Group F while Denmark could win Group D. In order to place successful FIFA betting, learn tips and tricks to earn some real cash and bonus.