The 2022 FIFA World Cup Primer

November 18, 2022 The 2022 FIFA World Cup Primer

By: Carlos Alvarez

Players, Stadiums, Groups & Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

It’s almost here. The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off Sunday morning with the host nation Qatar taking on Ecuador. Qatar has been the subject of much scrutiny leading up to the most popular sporting event on the planet. The small country with a minimal presence in soccer and scorching heat that led to the death of 37 workers directly related to stadium construction. There are eight venues in all that will set the stage for the next month of soccer. In today’s World Cup Primer, we’ll preview the marquee groups, some of the most intriguing players to watch, and take a look at the group breakdown.

 

The 8 Stadiums

Al Bayt

Lusail

Ahmad bin Ali

Education City

Khalifa International

Ras Abu Aboud

Al Thumama

Al Janoub

 

Top-10 Players to Watch

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

2. Kylian Mbappe (France)

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

4. Neymar (Brazil)

5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

7. Sadio Mane (Senegal)

8. Harry Kane (England)

9. Karim Benzema (France)

10. Christian Pulisic (United States)

 

Marquee Groups: Group B has been dubbed the “group of death” in 2022 with England, the USA, Iran, and Wales averaging a world ranking of 15. All four teams are within 15 places among the 32 teams, making it the most competitive. Group E also boasts a strong lineup with Spain, Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica providing a lot of firepower.

 

World Cup Groups

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, Korea Republic

 

Opening Day Match

Qatar vs. Ecuador (Sun. 11:00 am ET)

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: 2022 World Cup Guide: The Ultimate Armchair Fan’s Guide

The Ringer: The Bandwagon Fan’s Guide to the 2022 World Cup

Sporting News: Ranking the Best 2022 World Cup Jerseys in Qatar

Washington Post: 50 Players to Watch at the 2022 World Cup

LA Times: A Guide to the 8 Stadiums Hosting Games at the 2022 World Cup

 

Photo: Kirill Kudrayavtsev / Getty Images