(Reuters) – Here’s what you need to know about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in Qatar:
WHEN DID WORLD CUP 2022 START?
* This year’s World Cup began on Nov. 20 and will run through to Dec. 18.
* The tournament began with a Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador on Nov. 20, which Ecuador won 2-0.
* The World Cup started a day earlier than originally scheduled to ensure hosts Qatar played the opening match.
WHICH TEAMS ARE TAKING PART?
The World Cup features 32 teams and began with a group stage, with teams divided into eight groups of four.
* Group A: Qatar (hosts), Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
* Group B: England, Iran, United States, 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
WHAT ARE THE VENUES?
* Games are being staged at eight stadiums – Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.
* With 80,000 seats, Lusail Iconic Stadium is the largest of Qatar’s eight World Cup stadiums.
* All the stadiums are located within 40 kilometers of central Doha.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?
* There is a round-robin format in the group stage when each of the 32 teams play three matches each. Teams get three points for a win and one for a draw. The final group stage match will be played on Dec. 2.
* The top two in each group advance to the last 16. The knockout rounds will begin on Dec. 3 and will feature one-off matches, which can go to extra time and then penalties to decide the winner.
WHEN IS THE FINAL?
* The final will take place on Sunday Dec. 18 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
(Compiled by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Peter Rutherford)
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