The most anticipated sporting event of the year is here. The FIFA World Cup is back after four (and a half years) of wait, and Qatar 2022 is unsurprisingly one of the biggest talking points on Earth right now.
The tournament will take place from November 20, when the host country and Ecuador clash in the inaugural game, to December 18, concluding with the final. The stage is set, but many questions will probably arise.
After all, we’re talking about a tournament that takes place every four years. Therefore, not everyone may be up to date with the format. For starters, all 32 teams that take part in the World Cup are split into eight groups of four. Of course, the Qatar 2022 groups were alreadydrawn.
What happens to teams that finish 3rd in the Qatar 2022 World Cup group stage?
In case you were wondering, the first two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage, which starts with the round of 16. What happens with the other 16 teams? They get nothing.
The third and fourth-placed teams in each group are eliminated from Qatar 2022. Unlike the UEFA Champions League, which rewards the third-seeded teams with anEuropa League berth, there’s no consolation prize for the last two teams in eachgroup of the World Cup.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
