google-site-verification=jrFRO6oYNLK1iKh3HkH_yKgws4mFcOFcPvOCyqbqAnk
Pakistan's Premier Multilingual News Agency

FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to kick off in Qatar

FIFA World cup 2022
1,555

Doha, 7 November 2022 (GNP/ TDI): FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to kick off in Qatar on Sunday, 20 November, the first-ever tournament hosted in the Middle East.

The draw for the World Cup was conducted on 1 April 2022 to set the comprehensive group stage schedule, including dates and times for the main event.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1509943669629018120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Motto, Emblem, and Soundtrack

This year, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 slogan is “Now is All.” The motto means, “when you live your dream, realize your destiny and own the moment.”

Read Also: Qatar promotes FIFA World Cup

The emblem resembles the traditional woolen shawl that men and women wear across the Arab world during the winter months.

FIFA will have a multi-song official soundtrack with four songs: The World is Yours to Take, Arhbo, Better Together, and Light the Sky.

Dates of the tournament

The matches will take place from 20 November to 2 December, four games will be played each day during this period, with qualifying teams entering quarter-finals from 9 to 10 December.

The semi-finals are expected from 13 to14 December, with December 18 as the tournament’s final day.

Venues of the tournament

The event will be held in eight stadiums across five cities in Qatar, including Lusail, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and Doha. It is worth mentioning that only one stadium was renovated, while the other 7 are being newly constructed in the country.

The eight venues hosting Qatar 2022 matches
The venues hosting Qatar 2022 matches.

These venues include Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium, and Al Janoub Stadium.

Read Also: Old Doha port to be converted into Tourist hub

The stadiums have a capacity ranging from a minimum of 40,000 people to 80,000.

Teams qualified for World Cup

This year 32 teams will participate in the world cup in eight groups of four. The groups include

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands

Group B: England, IR Iran, USA, and Wales

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, and Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and Korea Republic

Top footballers of the world will participate in this tournament, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Harry Kane, and Mohamed Salah, among the big names.

Neymar (Right), Messi (Midled), Mbappe (Left)
Neymar (Right), Messi (Midled), Mbappe (Left)

It is pertinent to mention here that this world cup will witness the participation of female referees for the very first time. This decision of Qatar was made to indicate the development of women in football.

google-site-verification=jrFRO6oYNLK1iKh3HkH_yKgws4mFcOFcPvOCyqbqAnk