1,589 days after the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, the best footballing nations regather on the grandest stage of them all. The world is watching.
Undeniably the most prestigious sporting event on the planet, the World Cup arrives on Middle East territory for the very first time. One way or another, history will be made in these next four weeks.
The #FIFAWorldCup is here 🤩 Let’s do this!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
🇶🇦 🆚 🇪🇨#Qatar2022 | @adidasfootball
One particular difference at this World Cup is the biggest talking point not being the football itself, but rather the type of environment which has been chosen to host an event of this magnitude.
Having been controversially awarded hosting rights back in 2010, Qatar has come under plenty of scrutiny for its many social and political issues. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pleaded, at least for the duration of the tournament in the Arabian Peninsula, that politics and sport shouldn’t fuse.
Sepp Blatter is largely culpable for selecting the venue of this World Cup and recently the ex-FIFA President admitted that awarding hosting rights to Qatar “was a mistake”.
Gianni Infantino’s mad monologue made King Lear look balanced. Either nobody close to the Fifa president questions him or gives him good advice – or he simply doesn’t listen. He’s living in a bubble, turning into Blatter, embarrassing himself and the game. #FIFAWorldCup
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 19, 2022
With a population of barely three million, Qatar is by far the smallest nation to host the World Cup. Since being named hosts 12 years ago, the Gulf state has spent approximately $300billion on stadiums, hotels, other infrastructure and preparations for the showpiece event.
Of the eight stadiums being used, seven are newly built and one was refurbished. The largest venue, the Lusail Stadium, will host the most World Cup matches (10) – including the final, one semi- and one quarter-final – with a capacity of 80,000.
The Al Bayt Stadium, venue of Sunday’s opening ceremony, will play host to nine games in total. The arena in Al Khor has a 60,000 capacity. The remaining six stadia (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; Al Janoub Stadium; Al Thumama Stadium; Education City Stadium; Khalifa International Stadium; and Stadium 974) each have an estimated capacity of 40,000. and are spread across four Qatari cities.
Stadium 974 in Qatar is the world’s first transportable football arena.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 8, 2022
It’s made from repurposed shipping containers and can be completely dismantled, transported to another country and put back together like Lego 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BIyhsLPyiT
The Athletic reported that Ghana will have the youngest squad on show, with an average age of 23,5 years. USA, currently engulfed by a golden generation, have an average age of 24. A total of 17 teenagers have been called up to this World Cup. With huge talents such as Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, and Gavi set to be on show, there could be a handful of teens enduring an international breakthrough in the Middle East.
The same set of data found that Belgium and Iran have the joint-oldest squads at the 2022 World Cup, with an average age of 29. Pre-tournament favourites Brazil’s squad is 28,5 years-old on average. Aged 40, Mexico goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera will be the oldest player at the 22nd edition of the tournament.
Premier League is by far the best-represented league at this World Cup, with 135 players playing club football in the English top-flight. There are roughly 85 players from LaLiga, 77 from the Bundesliga, and 68 from Serie A. Outside of Europe, Major League Soccer (MLS) has the most players (35) at the WC finals – two more than the Qatar Stars League and the Saudi Pro League.
In terms of clubs, German champions Bayern Munich have the most players (17) called up to the World Cup, from eight different nations. Manchester City and Barcelona each have 16 players at the event, followed by Qatari outfit Al-Sadd (15) and Man United (14).
With 12 players now in Qatar, Real Madrid boast a wealthy contingent of young talent set to soak in the limelight with their nations. Vinícius Junior, 22, and Rodrygo, 21, are extremely talented individuals and they ought to stamp their mark on Brazil’s favourable odds of becoming world champions for a record sixth time.
In addition, Federico Valverde should be instrumental for Uruguay while Aurelien Tchouameni, 22, and Eduardo Camavinga, 20, are also gearing up for a maiden World Cup bow. The French midfield duo could be of vital importance after the World Cup-winning pair of N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba were ruled out of the finals through injuries.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri is set for a first taste of World Cup action, as is Germany ace Jamal Musiala and Portuguese winger Rafael Leão of AC Milan. England, too, have a handful of young stars braced for a maiden World Cup showing with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka all in line to feature prominently in Qatar.
While some of the world’s most promising young stars will be at their maiden World Cup, two of the very best footballers of all-time, Argentine icon Lionel Messi and Portuguese phenomenon Cristiano Ronaldo are set to enter an elite and exclusive club; the pair will join Germany great Lothar Matthaus in playing at five World Cup tournaments.
Mexico stalwart Andres Guardado may also be involved after playing at each of the past four World Cups in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia. The 36-year-old would effectively emulate countrymen Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Marquez before him.
While many are expecting one of Argentina, Brazil, or Germany to taste World Cup success in Qatar, one should also keep tabs on the not-so-obvious candidates. The likes of Denmark and Uruguay are considerable dark horses and, although it is unlikely one of them win the grand prize, either of them may reach the latter stages of the World Cup.
Two-time WC winners Uruguay advanced to the last-four in South Africa 2010, and their new generation of exciting talent could be one to behold. Denmark remarkably reached the semi-finals in the European Championships last year.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the host nation is ranked 50th, with only two participating countries currently lower in the world rankings: Saudi Arabia (51) and Ghana (61).
The opening ceremony commences 90 minutes before the first kick-off as Qatar take on Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, kicking off at 19H00 local time (17H00 CET).
Qatar are 3.60 to win the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup; Ecuador are 2.25 to take victory; 3.00 for a draw.
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