The most widely viewed sporting event in the world returns when 32 teams compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Founded in 1930, World Cup is the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. The tournament takes place every four years, excluding 1942 and 1946, due to World War II. The international event has been hosted in 17 countries since its inception with Qatar hosting for the first time this year.
The 2022 World Cup will begin on Sunday, November 20, and conclude on Sunday, December 18. Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar will host the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador and the final match of the tournament.
Check out all of the 2022 World Cup venues in the chart below.
2022 World Cup Venues
| Venue | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Lusail Iconic Stadium | Lusail | 80,000 |
| Al Bayt Stadium | Al Khor | 60,000 |
| Stadium 974 | Doha | 40,000 |
| Al Janoub Stadium | Al Wakrah | 40,000 |
| Al Thumama Stadium | Doha | 40,000 |
| Khalifa International Stadium | Al Rayyan | 45,416 |
| Education City Stadium | Al Rayyan | 45,350 |
| Ahmad bin Ali Stadium | Al Rayyan | 44,740 |
22 Fast Facts About the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- Qatar is the smallest country to host the World Cup
- First World Cup in a Middle Eastern Country
- First World Cup to not be held in May, June, or July
- Last World Cup to involve 32 teams (Increases to 48 teams in 2026)
- Second World Cup to be held entirely in Asia ( the 2002 World Cup was held in Japan and South Korea)
- Qatar spent $200 billion in infrastructure to prepare for the games.
- 8 stadiums will host the games which are the fewest of any World Cup
- 7 of the 8 stadiums were newly constructed for the games
- The sole existing stadium was renovated
- First-ever Winter World Cup
- For the first time, four World Cup matches will take place on Thanksgiving
- Quadruple-header on Black Friday for the first time
- Due to Qatar’s extreme daytime heat, this is the first time a host country will have fully air-conditioned stadiums
- A trio of women will make history as the first females to referee a men’s World Cup
- The trailblazing referees are Stephanie Frappart (France), Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda), and Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
- Russia is banned from this year’s tournament following its invasion of Ukraine
- La’eeb is the mascot for this year’s tournament
- “Hayya Hayya” by Trinidad Cardona, Davido, & Aisha is the official song of the 2022 World Cup
- “Hayya Hayya” means “Better Together”
- Wales qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 and Brazil is the only country to have qualified for every Wolrd Cup
- Squad Up: Teams are composed of a 26-man roster instead of the usual 23
- This year is the 22nd edition of the tournament
2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Groups
Qatar is playing in the World Cup for the first time and they’re the AFC Asian Cup winners. Since they’re the host country, they qualified for the tournament. While Qatar is in, Italy is the biggest name missing from this year’s event. Italy, who has won the second most World Cup, failed to qualify in 2018 ad was upset by North Macedonia in March, which is why they won’t be participating this year.
Some of the biggest stars of the sport could be competing at their last World Cup. Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), 35 and 37, respectively, could be entering their last tournament, or the last one in their primes.
Led by superstars Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema, France will be defending their crown after winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia. With 16 appearances, France has two World Cup championships, winning their first one in 1998.
Below is the full list of the 32 countries competing at the World Cup.
- Group A: Qatar, 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
Find out how to watch all of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the full schedule of matches, below.
How to Watch 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar
FOX and FS1 will be home to all of the action in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Most streaming services offer both networks and you can find out how to stream the tournament, below.
2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Channels
| DIRECTV STREAM | fubo TV | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |
| FOX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| FS1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup Live for Free
Catch live action from Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Fox by watching with an antenna. AntennaWeb is a great tool you can use to see what channels carry Fox in your area with an antenna.
Watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup Live on Hulu + Live TV
For $69.99 per month, Hulu + Live TV is the best way to watch all of the action in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The streaming service includes Fox, FS1, and over 75 channels. The service also includes the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+ and ESPN+.
Watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup Live on DIRECTV STREAM
For $69.99 per month, DIRECTV STREAM’s Entertainment package includes live FIFA World Cup games that air on Fox and FS1. The plan includes over 75 channels and unlimited DVR storage, and there are no hidden fees, or required annual contracts.
With DIRECTV STREAM users get a 5-day free trial, and for a limited time, new subscribers can save $40 across two months.
For $35/month, subscribers to Sling Blue can watch live World Cup matches in Qatar on Fox, and FS1, and over 40 channels. The service includes 50 hours of DVR storage so you will be able to relive your favorite moments and shows.
Subscribers to YouTube TV are able to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup live on Fox and FS1 for $64.99 per month. The streaming service has over 85 channels, users can stream up to 3 devices simultaneously, and it includes unlimited DVR so you can record every game and more.
Check out the full 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar schedule, below.
2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Schedule
Group Stage
Sunday, November 20
- Qatar vs. Ecuador – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
Monday, November 21
- England vs. Iran – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Senegal vs. Netherlands – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- United States vs. Wales – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Tuesday, November 22
- Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Denmark vs. Tunisia – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Mexico vs. Poland – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- France vs. Australia – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Wednesday, November 23
- Morocco vs. Croatia – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Germany vs. Japan – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Spain vs. Costa Rica -11 a.m. ET on FOX
- Belgium vs. Canada – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Thursday, November 24
- Switzerland vs. Cameroon – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Uruguay vs. South Korea – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Portugal vs. Ghana -11 a.m. ET on FOX
- Brazil vs. Serbia – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Friday, November 25
- Wales vs. Iran – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Qatar vs. Senegal – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Netherlands vs. Ecuador – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- England vs. United States – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Saturday, November 26
- Tunisia vs. Australia – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Poland vs. Saudi Arabia – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- France vs. Denmark – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- Argentina vs. Mexico – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Sunday, November 27
- Japan vs. Costa Rica – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- Belgium vs. Morocco – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Croatia vs. Canada – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- Spain vs. Germany – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Monday, November 28
- Cameroon vs. Serbia – 5 a.m. ET on FS1
- South Korea vs. Ghana – 8 a.m. ET on FS1
- Brazil vs. Switzerland – 11 a.m. ET on FOX
- Portugal vs. Uruguay – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Tuesday, November 29
- Netherlands vs. Qatar – 10 a.m. ET on *FOX
- Ecuador vs. Senegal – 10 a.m. ET on *FS1
- Wales vs. England – 2 p.m. ET on FS1
- Iran vs. United States – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Wednesday, November 30
- Tunisia vs. France – 10 a.m. ET on *FOX
- Australia vs. Denmark – 10 a.m. ET on *FS1
- Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico – 2 p.m. ET on *FS1
- Poland vs. Argentina – 2 p.m. ET on *FOX
Thursday, December 1
- Croatia vs. Belgium – 10 a.m. ET on *FOX
- Canada vs. Morocco – 10 a.m. ET on *FS1
- Japan vs. Spain – 2 p.m. ET on *FOX
- Costa Rica vs. Germany – 2 p.m. ET on *FS1
Friday, December 2
- South Korea vs. Portugal – 10 a.m. ET on *FOX
- Ghana vs. Uruguay – 10 a.m. ET on *FS1
- Serbia vs. Switzerland – 2 p.m. ET on *FS1
- Cameroon vs. Brazil – 2 p.m. ET on *FOX
Round of 16
Saturday, December 3
- 1A vs. 2B – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- 1C vs. 2D – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Sunday, December 4
- 1D vs. 2C – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- 1B vs. 2A – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Monday, December 5
- 1E vs. 2F – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- 1G vs. 2H – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Tuesday, December 6
- 1F vs. 2E – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- 1H vs. 2G – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Quarterfinals
Friday, December 9
- W53 vs. W54 – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- W49 vs. W50 – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Saturday, December 10
- W55 vs. W56 – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
- W51 vs. W52 – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Semifinals
Tuesday, December 13
- W57 vs. W58 – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Wednesday, December 14
- W59 vs. W60 – 2 p.m. ET on FOX
Third-Place Match
Saturday, December 17
- RU61 vs. RU62 – 10 a.m. ET on FOX
Final
Sunday, December 18
- W61 vs. W62 – 10 a.m. ET on FOX