After a long 4-year wait, the FIFA World Cup returns on 20 November as the tournament heads to the Middle East for the first time. Indeed, we’ve had to wait a little longer than usual for football’s biggest competition this time around; due to the heat in host-nation Qatar in the summer, the tournament has been delayed to the winter for the first time so that players and spectators alike can enjoy the games in a more moderate clime.
It will kick off with the hosts taking on Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, before the remainder of the teams begin getting under way from Monday. In total, 32 teams from around the globe will compete to be crowned world champions. Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay, England, and Spain have all lifted the trophy at least once, while the likes of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal will be among the elite nations hoping to join this select group.
France are the reigning champions after winning their 2nd title in Russia in 2018, and they’ll be hoping their star selection of forwards – including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud – can fire them to victory.
Meanwhile, Argentina have not won the World Cup since 1986 – when they were captained by one Diego Maradona – but there’s a lot of buzz about their chances this year.
La Albiceleste ended a 28-year wait for a Copa America title in 2021, and they’ve amassed an impressive 36-game unbeaten run heading into the tournament, so they’ve got momentum on their side. What’s more, this may be the last opportunity to see Argentina’s talismanic captain Lionel Messi in action at the World Cup, given he’s now 35. Messi has been back at his best with Paris Saint-Germain this season, racking up 12 goals and 14 assists in just 19 games. The playmaker’s international record is similarly impressive; in 165 appearances for his country, he’s scored 91 times and created a further 52 goals for his team-mates.
It may well be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup with Portugal, too. The Manchester United forward, 37, is international football’s all-time record goalscorer with 117 strikes to his name in 191 games.
England have struggled on the pitch in recent months, but there’s no doubt that manager Gareth Southgate’s time in charge of the Three Lions has had a transformative impact on their fortunes on the international stage. A semi-final berth in Russia – their first time in the final 4 of the World Cup since 1990 – preceded their first appearance in a European Championship final last year, so England fans will be hoping football will finally “come home” if they can escape a tricky group that will include derby matches with Wales and the United States.
Standard match tickets are available from QR 40 (USD $11) for Qatar residents and QR 250 ($69) for international fans, while hospitality is available from USD $950.
For more information on the FIFA World Cup and its complete schedule, click here.