World Cup Qatar 2022: Group Stages & The Final 32 Qualifying Nations

The first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022.

Individual teams have been drawn to their respective groups and the match schedule is ready for the 32 teams who will compete.

Australia and Costa Rica grabbed the last two places in the most prestigious football tournament in the world.

This will be the last World Cup tournament to host 32 teams as the World Cup format will now expand to host 48 teams.

READ: Eight Amazing Stadiums that Will Host the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Qatar (host) and 31 other countries will compete in the event after qualifying through regional matches. Here’s a breakdown:

• Africa (CAF): 5
• Asia (AFC): 4 (plus 1 playoff qualifier)
• Europe (UEFA): 13
• North/Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF): 3 (plus 1 playoff qualifier)
• Oceania (OFC): 1 playoff qualifier
• South America (CONMEBOL): 4 (plus 1 playoff qualifier)

What are the group stages for the 2022 World Cup?

The 2022 World Cup will begin with 32 teams in eight groups of four:

• 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

Fans around the world can now plot their team’s route to glory.

Teams to watch this Qatar 2022

1. Qatar

FIFA World Ranking: 51st

World Cup Appearances: 1 of 22

Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and therefore qualify automatically for what will be its first appearance.

2. Brazil

FIFA World Ranking: 1st

World Cup Appearances: 22 of 22

World Cup Titles: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

Brazil is the most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup, being crowned winner five times.

3. Belgium

FIFA World Ranking: 2nd

World Cup Appearances: 14 of 22

Can Belgium’s golden generation lift their first trophy?

4. France

FIFA World Ranking: 3rd

World Cup Appearances: 16 of 22

World Cup Titles: 1998, 2018.

France is ready to defend its title as they look set to grab its 3rd World Cup trophy and become the first country to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

5. Argentina

FIFA World Ranking: 4th

World Cup Appearances: 18 of 22

World Cup Titles: 1978, 1986.

Having beaten Brazil to win the Copa America 2021, followed by dismantling Italy to win the Finalissima, Argentina are in red hot form.

6. England

FIFA World Ranking: 5th

World Cup Appearances: 16 of 22

World Cup Titles: 1966.

England clearly has the potential to win the country’s first major trophy in 56 years with numerous youth players having the hunger and desire to win.

7. Spain

FIFA World Ranking: 7th

World Cup Appearances: 16 of 22

World Cup Titles: 2010.

Spain has been showing some positive signs by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and a runners-up finish in the Nations League. Do not opt them out of the contender list.

8. Portugal

FIFA World Ranking: 8th

World Cup Appearances: 8 of 22.

With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Felix, Portugal might just be the World Cup favorites in 2022.

9. Mexico

FIFA World Ranking: 9th

World Cup Appearances: 9 of 22.

In 2018, Mexico created one of the biggest upsets after defeating World champions Germany 1–0 in the opening game of the World Cup. Can they cause an upset this year too?

10. the Netherlands

FIFA World Ranking: 10th

World Cup Appearances: 11 of 22.

The three-time World Cup runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010) is expected to be one of the two teams to qualify from Group A, with stars like Virgil Van Dijk, Frankie De Jong, and Memphis Depay on its side they are surely a force to reckoned with.

Want more information related to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup? Here are some articles for you to read about this year's world cup in Qatar.

• World Cup 2022: How To Be A Football Fan In Just 5 Mins
• Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup: All you need to know guide
• Eight Amazing Stadiums that Will Host the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
• Things To Do In Qatar During The World Cup Other Than Football
• [Updated] 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup: Group Fixture, Schedule and Timings for Singapore & Malaysia
• Discover the Hidden Gems of Qatar During the FIFA World Cup 2022
• World Cup 2022: What To Do When Football Fans Hog The TV During FIFA World Cup
• World Cup 2022: Top 5 Luxurious Things to do in Doha, Qatar

Cover Image Credit: @roadto2022en on Instagram