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QATAR 2022

When does the 2022 FIFA World Cup start? Opening game and final dates

The Qatar 2022 World Cup will be a tournament with a difference with the action getting underway in the month of November and finishing in December.

Update:
When does the 2022 FIFA World Cup start? Opening game and final dates

32 nations will compete in Qatar next year looking to emulate France at the 2018 World Cup competition after Didier Deschamp's men overcame Croatia in Moscow to be crowned world champions with a 4-2 win at the Luzhniki Stadium in the Russian capital back in 2018.

Kylian Mbappe of France
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Kylian Mbappe of FranceAFP7 vía Europa Press

21 November opening ceremony

As 2021 moves on and qualifying phases around the various confederations reach the 'business end', at present only three teams have confirmed their place in Qatar with the November FIFA window set to see more nations having their passports stamped. At the time of writing, Denmark, Germany and hosts Qatar are the qualified sides that will be in action in the Middle East when the action gets underway next year. Felix Sanchez's 'Maroons' will open the tournament on 21 November at the spectacular Al Bayt Stadium.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Ireland v Qatar - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - October 12, 2021 Qatar coach Felix Sanchez REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
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Soccer Football - International Friendly - Ireland v Qatar - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - October 12, 2021 Qatar coach Felix Sanchez REUTERS/Clodagh KilcoyneCLODAGH KILCOYNEREUTERS

2022 qualification

Of the 32 participating nations, 13 will be from Europe (UEFA), five African (CAF) representatives, Asia (AFC) will put forward 4.5 sides, not including Qatar. There will be 4.5 sides from South America's CONMEBOL, 3.5 from CONCACAF with Oceania having 0.5 sides. The .5 nations will be forced into am inter-confederation play-off in early 2022 to determine the final composition of the 32 final participants.

World Cup 2022 Format

The 32 qualified sides will be placed in eight groups (with this draw process scheduled for April 2022) of four with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Round of 16, with a quarter-final ensuing ahead of the semi-final and grand final which will be staged on Qatar National Day (18 December, 2022).

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