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.