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Everything you need to know about the World Cup in Qatar

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Played every four years since 1930, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world.Played every four years since 1930, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world.

The international soccer tournament runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18

By The Hamilton Spectator

Sat., Nov. 19, 20222 min. read

World Cup: Need to know

  • The men’s World Cup runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 in Qatar. Played every four years since 1930, it is the most-viewed sporting event in the world. Roughly one-ninth of the planet’s entire population watched broadcasts of the 2018 World Cup final. It is owned by FIFA, the world governing body for soccer.
  • After a three-year qualifying process, there are 32 countries’ national teams in Qatar, divided into eight four-team groups. After those teams play each other once, the top two from each group advance to a series of single-knockout games.
  • All World Cup games are broadcast by TSN, with CTV also broadcasting many games, including all of Canada’s matches. Canada plays Belgium (Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2 p.m. EST); Croatia (Sunday, Nov. 27, 11 am EST) and Morocco (Thursday, Dec. 1, 10 am) in the group stage.
  • Canada qualified for the tournament by finishing atop the CONCACAF (North American) qualifying region, raising its overall world ranking to No. 41, a rise of 53 spots since John Herdman took over as head coach in 2018. Their Group F opponents’ rankings: Belgium, No. 2; Croatia, no. 12; Morocco, no. 22.
  • Canada is in the tournament for only the second time. In its first appearance in 1985, it did not survive the group stage, losing 1-0 to France, 2-0 to Hungary and 2-0 to the Soviet Union.
  • Canadian players to watch: goalkeeper Milan Borjan; backs Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea; midfielder Stephen Eustaquio; forwards Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan.
  • Hamilton connections: Milan Borjan refers to Hamilton as his hometown; McMaster Professor Dr. Nick Bontis is president of Canada Soccer, the national governing body under FIFA’s umbrella; Tiger-Cat and Forge FC CEO Scott Mitchell is influential in high-level soccer as chair of Canada Soccer Business and the Canadian Premier League.

  • The World Cup is usually played in May, June or July, but summer heat and humidity are too high in Qatar. Average November temperatures in Qatar: high, 23 C to 35 C; low, 16 C to 26 C.

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