The countdown has begun. Soccer fans from all over the world has something to celebrate now that FIFA has confirmed the match schedule for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Four games will be played per day during the group stage, something unprecedented in the most prestigiuos national team tournament.
The group stage games, which will last 12 days, have been set for 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 and 22:00 (Qatar time). According to FIFA, this was planned with the aim of providing with all teams with optimal rest between their games. Also, no air travel will be needed to move between the venues, which gives fans the possibility to attend mutiple matches each day.
The 2022 World Cup opening game will be held at the 60,000 capacity Al Bayt Stadium on November 21, while the final will be played at the 80,000 capacity Lusail Stadium on December 18, seven days before Christmas. It will be the first World Cup to be held in the middle of the European season instead of the usual June-July slot due to the heat in Qatar.
Fans will have to wait until at least until March 2022 for the World Cup draw. For those who are planning to attend the tournament in Qatar, ticket sales are scheduled to start in late 2020. With more than two years to go before the start of the tournament, national teams know exactly how much time they have to prepare for the main event.
The US national team, with Christian Pulisic as its best player, is still waiting for the start of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, which will have a new format.
