Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off with Great Expectations
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off with Great Expectations. Will those expectations be met?
The much talked about Federation de Internationale Football Association, FIFA, World Cup has finally kicked off.
The opening ceremony took place on Sunday, November 20, 2022, instead of the earlier scheduled Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Fireworks and a drone display lit up the atmosphere.
A disc jockey was on hand to dish out both local and Western tunes to the dancing admiration of the teeming crowd.
Despite the mounting scandals and loads of questions surrounding the eligibility of Qatar as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the event was the moment the ordinary Qatari residents have been looking forward to for years.
As a spectacle, it delivered for them.
Why Qatar Is Hosting the 2022 Edition of the FIFA World Cup
FIFA, the sport’s governing body, permits a host nation to take part in a World Cup without having to go through the qualifying rounds, which means the small Gulf state can now test itself against the best in world soccer.
Any approved member of the Federation de Internationale Football Association, FIFA, has the right to host its quadrennial World Cup championship, provided the right is sought by the member and awarded by FIFA officials with due process.
One of the reasons FIFA gave as a justification for awarding Qatar the hosting rights of its 2022 tournament was the need to take the tournament to a new part of the world.
Many critics have kicked against this move and decision at different times, but that did not stop the event from going on.
Both FIFA and Qatar are however hopeful that those criticisms and questions would end by the end of the tournament.
The Opening Match of the Tournament: Qatar loses to Ecuador
The tournament, as you’ll recall from our story entitled: “FIFA President Congratulates 32 Successful World Cup Teams” was originally scheduled to commence on Monday, November 21, 2022, with the Taranga Lions of Senegal playing against the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium.
But the Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador was brought forward, a day earlier than the original take-off date, to enable the Qatari national team to open their home tournament.
Unfortunately, Qatar lost the match to Ecuador 0-2.
Two goals from captain Enner Valencia eased the South American side to victory, sending a small but vocal contingent of Ecuadorian fans present at the Al-Bayt Stadium into rapture.
Qatar 2022 Ecuadorian senior men’s national team
By the time centre referee of the match, Daniele Orsato blew the final whistle, everywhere, in the Al-Bayt Stadium, had been deserted.
The obvious reason for their action was a disappointment; the home fans were utterly disappointed with the final score line.
“This is my seventh World Cup,” remarked Robbie Jay Barratt of Getty Images, “and only once before have I seen these many home fans abandon a stadium early.
“That was eight years ago in Belo Horizonte when Brazil took on Germany in a World Cup semifinal and famously fell behind 5-0 by halftime.
“But that was the Mineirazo (rough translation: “the agony of Mineirão,” the stadium where the game was played) — it was the ultimate day of shame for the Seleção, an imponderable trip into football’s twilight zone as Brazil lost 7-1.
“This walkout in Doha was different.
“This was Qatar’s first-ever World Cup game.
“And, while they weren’t playing well, they were two goals down against Ecuador, not some powerhouse, which offered hope for the second half.
“And, sure, even though they were on their way to becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening game (though they could not have known it at the time), Qatar still had — and have — two more opportunities against Senegal and the Netherlands.”
Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Nigeria’s ex-international, jocularly suggested that the reason Qatar lost to Ecuador may not be unconnected with the air conditioner at the venue of the match.
He, however, believed that the better side won.
The Effect of Qatar 2022 on Football Leagues Around the World
The change in tournament dates has played havoc with some of the biggest domestic leagues in the world.
All of Europe’s top leagues have had to work a winter break into their schedules, meaning congested fixture lists before and after the tournament.
The change in tournament dates has played havoc with some of the biggest domestic leagues in the world.
All of Europe’s top leagues have had to work a winter break into their schedules, meaning congested fixture lists before and after the tournament.
Life will however return to those leagues as soon as the tournament ends on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
For example, actions will resume in the English Premier League on Boxing Day, December 26, 2022, while the final match round of the 2022/23 season will be played on May 28, 2023.
All the Matches: Dates, Draw, Schedule, Kick-Off Times
Group Draw
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, 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
Four matches will be played each day during the group stage, which will run over a 12-day period and see winners and runners-up progress to the round of 16.
Unlike at Euro 2020, there will be a third-place play-off game on December 17.
The group games will take place across eight stadia: Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Education City Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium.
Format and Schedule
Sunday, November 20
Group A: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Monday, November 21
Group B: England vs Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1 pm)
Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group B: USA vs Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 7 pm)
Tuesday, November 22
Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 10 am)
Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group C: Mexico vs Poland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group D: France vs Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 7 pm)
Wednesday, November 23
Group F: Morocco vs Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 10 am)
Group E: Germany vs Japan (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group E: Spain vs Costa Rica (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group F: Belgium vs Canada (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 7 pm)
Thursday, November 24
Group G: Switzerland vs Cameroon (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 10 am)
Group H: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group H: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group G: Brazil vs Serbia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Friday, November 25
Group B: Wales vs Iran (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 10 am)
Group A: Qatar vs Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group A: Netherlands vs Ecuador (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group B: England vs USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Saturday, November 26
Group D: Tunisia vs Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 10 am)
Group C: Poland vs Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group D: France vs Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group C: Argentina vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Sunday, November 27
Group E: Japan vs Costa Rica (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 10 am)
Group F: Belgium vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group F: Croatia vs Canada (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group E: Spain vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Monday, November 28
Group G: Cameroon vs Serbia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 10 am)
Group H: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 1 pm)
Group G: Brazil vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 4 pm)
Group H: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Tuesday, November 29
Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group B: Wales vs England (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 7 pm)
Group B: Iran vs USA (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Wednesday, November 30
Group D: Australia vs Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group D: Tunisia vs France (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group C: Poland vs Argentina (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 7 pm)
Group C: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Thursday, December 1
Group F: Croatia vs Belgium (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group F: Canada vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group E: Costa Rica vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Group E: Japan vs Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 7 pm)
Friday, December 2
Group H: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group H: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 3 pm)
Group G: Serbia vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off:7 pm)
Group G: Cameroon vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Round of 16
Saturday, December 3
49 – Winners of Group A vs Runners-up of Group B (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
50 – Winners of Group C vs Runners-up of Group D (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 7 pm)
Sunday, December 4
52 – Winners of Group D vs Runners-up of Group C (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off: 3 pm)
51 – Winners of Group B vs Runners-up of Group A (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Monday, December 5
53 – Winners of Group E vs Runners-up of Group F (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off: 3 pm)
54 – Winners of Group G vs Runners-up of Group H (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off: 7 pm)
Tuesday, December 6
55 – Winners of Group F vs Runners-up of Group E (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
56 – Winners of Group H vs Runners-up of Group G (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Quarter-finals
Friday, December 9
58 – Winners of 53 vs Winners of 54 (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3 pm)
57 – Winners of 49 vs Winners of 50 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7 pm)
Saturday, December 10
60 – Winners of 55 vs Winners of 56 (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off: 3 pm)
59 – Winners of 51 vs Winners of 52 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Semi-finals
Tuesday, December 13
61 – Winners of 57 vs Winners of 58 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 7 pm)
Wednesday, December 14
62 – Winners of 59 vs Winners of 60 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off: 7 pm)
Saturday, December 17
63 – Third place play-off (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off: 3 pm)
Final
Sunday, December 18
64 – The World Cup final (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off: 3 pm)
Qatar Sets New World Records in Football in a Controversial Tournament of Firsts
There have been 21 editions of the men’s World Cup since its inauguration in 1930 but Qatar 2022 is set to be a tournament like no other.
Since Qatar was announced as the host city almost 12 years ago, it was always destined to be a World Cup of firsts, for the following reasons.
- The smallest country to host the World Cup, with a population of just under three million.
- The first football World Cup in a Muslim country.
- The first in the Middle East.
- The first FIFA World Cup would be held in a European winter. The World Cup has always been held in either May, June, or July but Qatar 2022 will break away from such tradition – more out of necessity.
- The first time the Qatari men’s national team will participate in a World Cup final.
- The first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening game.
- The first time World Cup teams will be able to use up to five substitutes and managers can now pick from a squad of 26 players, rather than the usual 23.
- Qatar spent more than $220 billion on this World Cup — more than twice the previous eight World Cups combined.
- The first-time female referees will officiate a men’s World Cup match. Yamashita Yoshimi, Rwandan Salima Mukansanga and Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back, Karen Diaz Medina, and American Kathryn Nesbitt have all been named among the 36 officials selected for the tournament. Frappart is arguably the most famous name on the list after she wrote her name into the history books in 2020 by becoming the first woman to take charge of a men’s Champions League match.
Referees Yoshimi, Salima Mukansanga and Stephanie Frappart
Messages from Africa, Europe, and America
Senegal
The Senegalese Captain, Sadio Mane, who inspired his teammates to snatch the ticket from Egypt may not be on duty in Qatar 2022 due to the injury he sustained recently while playing for his German club, thereby dealing a major blow to the African side’s hopes.
Sadio Mane
The injured Senegal star, however thanks his teeming soccer fans, all over the world, for their support so far, and urges his side on to glory.
“I wanna take this opportunity to thank and show my appreciation to you all,” Mane said in one of his Instagram posts.
“This Monday, our dear country will compete in the World Cup, Qatar 2022.
“I am sure the Lions will transcend and approach every game as a true finale.
“I am also convinced that all Senegalese will be in front of the small screen to support and encourage our valiant national team,” he added.
“Like all fans, I am convinced that my teammates will fight as one man and as they are used to doing in order to honour our dear Senegal.”
Europe
Lovren jokes ex-Liverpool teammate Salah is ‘jealous’ over World Cup appearance
Croatia defender Dejan Lovren has jokingly claimed that his former Liverpool teammate Mo Salah is “100 percent” jealous that he is at the World Cup while the Egyptian star watches from afar.
Croatian striker and former teammate of Mohammed Salah at Liverpool Football Club, England, told reporters that Mo, as Mohammed is fondly called, would be visiting Qatar to support him “with a Croatia flag”.
America
President Joe Biden of the United States has urged the US team to disregard the FIFA rankings and go for glory in Qatar, calling on the players to “go shock them all”.
“I know you’re the underdog, but I tell you what, … you have got some of the best players in the world on your team and you’re representing this country and I know you’re going to play your hearts out,” Biden told the American players during a telephone call from his White House office.
President Joe Biden of America
“Keep trusting one another, play as hard as you can for you and your families and your teammates – the whole country is rooting for you,” he said.
The US begins its campaign on Monday, November 21, 2022, against Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
The Group B game will kick off at 10 pm (19:00 GMT).
Challenges to Contend with During the Tournament and Their Solutions
Callenge #1
One of the challenges that the organisers of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup have to contend with is how to deal with the influx of an expected one million visitors, given it’s the smallest country to host the World Cup, with a population of just under three million.
As a result of this hurdle, the eight stadiums to be used for the competition are all in and around Doha, the capital city, and are all within an hour’s drive of each other.
One big advantage of the short distances is that can now possibly watch up to two matches in one day, all things being equal.
In the area of accommodation, the organisers of the event also had to provide two cruise ships, MSC Poesia and MSC World Europa, in Doha, with a view to supporting the available hotels.
Both vessels will offer the usual cruise ship experience, but fans won’t be sailing any further than the 10-minute shuttle-bus ride into the heart of Doha.
Challenge #2
It is illegal in Qatar, a Muslim country, for people to be seen drunk in public, and this has pitched some of the fans against the organisers of the event.
This runs contrary to the habit of many fans, especially the non-Muslims among them, who drinking alcohol is a way of life.
To calm the nerves of such alcohol-hungry fans, designated fan parks have been provided around Doha for them to enjoy themselves.
Challenge #3
For those fans prone to a touch of sea sickness, organizers have also built three ‘Fan Villages’ which will offer a place to stay on the outskirts of the city.
These include a variety of accommodations – including caravans, portacabins, and even camping experiences – and all are located within reasonable distances of the venues.
For those who may have enough cash to spend, there will be luxury yachts docked in Doha’s harbor, which can offer a place to sleep for, let’s face it, an extortionate price.
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off with Great Expectations. THE END.
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By Emeka Nnamdi from Qatar. Emeka, a veteran journalist lives in the United Arab Emirates, where he practices freelance journalism.
