World Cup Guide: Everything you need to know about Qatar 2022

• Group draw for Qatar 2022
• Full fixture list, including kick-off times & TV schedule
• Latest World Cup betting odds at Betfair
• England's fixtures and path to the final

World Cup 2022 schedule

So, when is the 2022 World Cup? Well, you probably don't need reminding that it is taking place much later than usual - from 20 November to 18 December to be precise.

FIFA's controversial decision to award the tournament to the Gulf state in 2010 was soon followed by obvious criticism that it would be too hot to stage the event there in its usual June/July slot when temperatures can top 40C.

The date switch was duly confirmed in 2015.

World Cup draw 2022

Let's look at the groups for the World Cup, the draw having been made back on April 1.

The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four.

This will actually be the last World Cup to feature 32 teams with the tournament expanding to 48 for the next edition in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

It's fair to say that both England and Wales will be fairly happy with their World Cup group, the pair having been drawn alongside USA and Iran.

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

The top two in each group which will progress to the knockout stage - the draw bracket is shown below.

If teams finish level on points, goal difference will be the first factor used to determine position, followed by goals scored.

The draw for the knockout stage looks like this:

Who will England play if they win their group?

Fans always want to know about the potential path to glory so let's take a look at England's route to final.

If they top their group - and they are 1.330/100 heavy favourites to do so on the Betfair Sportsbook - they would meet the Group A runners-up in the last 16.

That's one of Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal and Netherlands. The odds suggest it would be African champions Senegal.

Were the seedings to play out, Gareth Southgate's men would then meet reigning champions France in the quarter-finals before facing either Belgium or Portugal in their semi-final.

If the top seeds all win their groups, England would not be able to meet Brazil, Argentina or Spain until the final.

Who will England play if they finish runners-up in their group?

Given England have failed to win their group at five of the last six World Cups, this is a pertinent question.

If England finish second in Group B, they would play the Group A winners in the last 16 - the markets expect that to be the Netherlands.

The winner of the that contest is currently expected to face Argentina in the quarter-finals with Brazil or Spain then lying in wait in the last four.

England's fixtures for World Cup

England's next game will be their World Cup opener on 21 November - the second day of the tournament - against Iran (kick-off 13:00 GMT).

Four days later they will meet USA before their all-British battle with Wales takes place on 29 November. Both of those games will kick off at 19:00 GMT.

Group stage fixtures:

England v Iran - Monday 21 November, 13:00
England v USA - Friday 25 November, 19:00
England v Wales - Tuesday 29 November, 19:00

Knockout stage fixtures (if England win group):

Last 16 - Sunday 4 December, 19:00
Quarter-final - Saturday 10 December, 19:00
Semi-final - Wednesday 14 December, 19:00

Knockout stage fixtures (if England are runners-up in group):

Last 16 - Saturday 3 December, 15:00
Quarter-final - Friday 9 December, 19:00
Semi-final - Tuesday 13, December, 19:00

Wales' fixtures for World Cup

Group stage fixtures:

Wales v USA - Monday 21 November, 19:00
Wales v Iran - Friday 25 November, 10:00
Wales v England - Tuesday 29 November, 19:00

Knockout stage fixtures (if Wales win group):

Last 16 - Sunday 4 December, 19:00
Quarter-final - Saturday 10 December, 19:00
Semi-final - Wednesday 14 December, 19:00

Knockout stage fixtures (if Wales are runners-up in group):

Last 16 - Saturday 3 December, 15:00
Quarter-final - Friday 9 December, 19:00
Semi-final - Tuesday 13, December, 19:00

What are the latest World Cup odds?

Having touched upon the World Cup betting markets, it's worth looking at them in greater detail.

In the outright betting, Brazil, who last lifted the trophy in 2002, are currently favourites at 4/1 with the Betfair Sportsbook.

South American champions Argentina come next at 11/2, just ahead of holders France (6/1). England are fourth favourites at 7/1.

Spain (15/2) are the other side not available at a double-figure price. They are closely followed by Germany (10/1), Netherlands (11/1) and Portugal (14/1).

Belgium have been big drifters in recent weeks, out from 11/1 to 19/1.

It's 22/1 bar the front nine with Wales 125/1 outsiders.

The group betting shows each pool has an odds-on favourite - and there's good news for England fans.

The Three Lions are considered the team most likely to win their group - they are just 1/3 to top Group B and 1/16 to qualify for the last 16.

Only France are more likely to reach that stage with Les Bleus 1/20 in the 'to qualify' betting.

Those Betfair markets suggest this will be how the knockout stage bracket is formed:

• All odds correct as of 10 November.

World Cup Golden Boot 2022 betting

Despite recent concerns about fatigue, England captain Harry Kane is the current favourite to win the Golden Boot - just as he did in 2018.

Kane heads the Betfair Sportsbook's market at 7/1, just ahead of France's Kylian Mbappe at 8/1.

Mbappe's team-mate Karim Benzema, Brazilian star Neymar and Argentina legend Lionel Messi follow at 12/1. Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, follows at 14/1.

A look at how Kane won the 2018 Golden Boot is a nod to why he's regarded as the favourite again.

In Russia four years ago, Kane netted five goals across group-stage games with Tunisia and Panama and the bookies feel the Three Lions have another kind draw this time around, with scheduled meetings with Iran, USA and Wales.

Kane is also odds-on to be England's top scorer at the tournament at 8/11.

• All odds correct as of 18 October.

When is the World Cup final?

The 2022 World Cup final will take place on Sunday 18 December and will kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Who won the last World Cup in 2018?

France lifted their second World Cup trophy in Russia thanks to a 4-2 victory over first-time finalists Croatia.

Twenty years on from their first in 1998, Les Blues raced to a 4-1 lead early in the second half before Mario Mandzukic, having already scored the first ever own goal in a World Cup final, pulled one back which turned out to be a mere consolation.

Aged 19, PSG star Kylian Mbappé scored France's fourth goal in the final, becoming only the second teenager to net in a World Cup after Brazil legend Pele in 1958 (aged 17).

What are the kick-off times for the 2022 World Cup?

The other kick-off times are fairly standardised.

The opening game, between hosts Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday 20 November, will start at 16:00 GMT. With Qatar being three hours ahead, that will be 19:00 local time.

Other group-stage games will kick-off at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00 GMT.

There are actually seven days on which their will be four matches, one kicking off at each of those times.

For the final round of group games, plus the last 16 and quarter-finals, matches will begin at 15:00 and 19:00 GMT.

Both semi-finals will kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

World Cup fixtures in full

• All times GMT

Group A
Sun Nov 20 - Qatar v Ecuador - 16:00, Al Bayt Stadium (BBC)
Mon Nov 21 - Senegal v Netherlands - 16:00, Al Thumama Stadium (ITV)
Fri Nov 25 - Qatar v Senegal - 13:00, Al Thumama Stadium (BBC)
Fri Nov 25 - Netherlands v Ecuador - 16:00, Khalifa International Stadium (ITV)
Tue Nov 29 - Netherlands v Qatar - 15:00, Al Bayt Stadium (ITV)
Tue Nov 29 - Ecuador v Senegal - 15:00, Khalifa International Stadium (ITV)

Group B
Mon Nov 21 - England v Iran - 13:00, Khalifa International Stadium (BBC)
Mon Nov 21 - USA v Wales - 19:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (ITV)
Fri Nov 25 - Wales v Iran - 10:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (BBC)
Fri Nov 25 - England v USA - 19:00, Al Bayt Stadium (ITV)
Tue Nov 29 - Wales v England - 19:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (BBC)
Tue Nov 29 - Iran v USA - 19:00, Al Thumama Stadium (BBC)

Group C
Tue Nov 22 - Argentina v Saudi Arabia - 10:00, Lusail Stadium (ITV)
Tue Nov 22 - Mexico v Poland - 16:00, Stadium 974 (BBC)
Sat Nov 26 - Poland v Saudi Arabia - 13:00, Education City Stadium (ITV)
Sat Nov 26 - Argentina v Mexico - 19:00, Lusail Stadium (ITV)
Wed Nov 30 - Poland v Argentina - 19:00, Stadium 974 (BBC)
Wed Nov 30 - Saudi Arabia v Mexico - 19:00, Lusail Stadium (BBC)

Group D
Tue Nov 22 - Denmark v Tunisia - 13:00, Education City Stadium (ITV)
Tue Nov 22 - France v Australia - 19:00, Al Janoub Stadium (BBC)
Sat Nov 26 - Tunisia v Australia - 10:00, Al Janoub Stadium (BBC)
Sat Nov 26 - France v Denmark - 16:00, Stadium 974 (ITV)
Wed Nov 30 - Tunisia v France - 15:00, Education City Stadium (BBC)
Wed Nov 30 - Australia v Denmark - 15:00, Al Janoub Stadium (BBC)

Group E
Wed Nov 23 - Germany v Japan - 13:00, Khalifa International Stadium (ITV)
Wed Nov 23 - Spain v Costa Rica - 16:00, Al Thumama Stadium (ITV)
Sun Nov 27 - Japan v Costa Rica - 10:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (ITV)
Sun Nov 27 - Spain v Germany - 19:00, Al Bayt Stadium (BBC)
Thu Dec 1 - Japan v Spain - 19:00, Khalifa International Stadium (ITV)
Thu Dec 1 - Costa Rica v Germany - 19:00, Al Bayt Stadium (ITV)

Group F
Wed Nov 23 - Morocco v Croatia - 10:00, Al Bayt Stadium (ITV)
Wed Nov 23 - Belgium v Canada - 19:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (BBC)
Sun Nov 27 - Belgium v Morocco - 13:00, Al Thumama Stadium (BBC)
Sun Nov 27 - Croatia v Canada - 16:00, Khalifa International Stadium (BBC)
Thu Dec 1 - Croatia v Belgium - 15:00, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (BBC)
Thu Dec 1 - Canada v Morocco - 15:00, Al Thumama Stadium (BBC)

Group G
Thu Nov 24 - Switzerland v Cameroon - 10:00, Al Janoub Stadium (ITV)
Thu Nov 24 - Brazil v Serbia - 19:00, Lusail Stadium (BBC)
Mon Nov 28 - Cameroon v Serbia - 10:00, Al Janoub Stadium (ITV)
Mon Nov 28 - Brazil v Switzerland - 16:00, Stadium 974 (ITV)
Fri Dec 2 - Cameroon v Brazil - 19:00, Lusail Stadium (ITV)
Fri Dec 2 - Serbia v Switzerland - 19:00, Stadium 974 (ITV)

Group H
Thu Nov 24 - Uruguay v South Korea - 13:00, Education City Stadium (BBC)
Thu Nov 24 - Portugal v Ghana - 16:00, Stadium 974 (ITV)
Mon Nov 28 - South Korea v Ghana - 13:00, Education City Stadium (BBC)
Mon Nov 28 - Portugal v Uruguay - 19:00, Lusail Stadium (ITV)
Fri Dec 2 - South Korea v Portugal - 15:00, Education City Stadium (BBC)
Fri Dec 2 - Ghana v Uruguay - 15:00, Al Janoub Stadium (BBC)

Last 16
Sat Dec 3 - Winner A v Runner-up B - 3pm, Khalifa International Stadium (match 49)
Sat Dec 3 - Winner C v Runner-up D - 7pm - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (match 50)
Sun Dec 4 - Winner D v Runner-up C - 3pm, Al Thumama Stadium (match 52)
Sun Dec 4 - Winner B v Runner-up A - 7pm, Al Bayt Stadium (match 51)
Mon Dec 5 - Winner E v Runner-up F - 3pm, Al Janoub Stadium (match 53)
Mon Dec 5 - Winner G v Runner-up H - 7pm, Stadium 974 (match 54)
Tue Dec 6 - Winner F v Runner-up E - 3pm, Education City Stadium (match 55)
Tue Dec 6 - Winner H v Runner-up G - 7pm, Lusail Stadium (match 56)

Quarter-finals
Fri Dec 9 - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - 3pm, Education City Stadium (match 58)
Fri Dec 9 - Winner 49 v Winner 50 - 7pm, Lusail Stadium (match 57)
Sat Dec 10 - Winner 55 v Winner 56 - 3pm, Al Thumama Stadium (match 60)
Sat Dec 10 - Winner 51 v Winner 52 - 7pm, Al Bayt Stadium (match 59)

Semi-finals
Tue Dec 13 - Winner 57 v Winner 58 - 7pm, Lusail Stadium
Wed Dec 14 - Winner 59 v Winner 60 - 7pm, Al Bayt Stadium

Third-place play-off
Sat Dec 17 - Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 - 3pm, Khalifa International Stadium

Final
Sun Dec 18 - Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 - 3pm, Lusail Stadium

How can I watch World Cup 2022 on TV?

In the UK, the BBC and ITV will again share the live TV rights to the tournament.

Coverage of the group-stage games has already been decided and is shown in the fixture list above.

Can I still buy tickets for the 2022 World Cup?

In a word, yes.

While most tickets were bought during an online ballot earlier this year, a 'last-minute sales phase' is currently taking place. Full details can be found on the tournament's official website.

When will the World Cup squads be announced?

FIFA's tournament rules show final squads must be confirmed by 18:00 GMT on 14 November - six days before the World Cup gets under way.

Each nation has already submitted a provisional 'release list' of between 35 and 55 players. In most cases, these have not been made public.

England will name their final squad on November 10 at 14:00.

As was the case at last summer's European Championships, final squad size has been increased from the usual 23 to 26. FIFA says this is to take into account the "unique timing" of the tournament and the possibility of COVID outbreaks.

Are any World Cup warm-up games planned?

Some but not many.

The narrow gap between domestic competitions stopping and the World Cup starting means there is little time for warm-up friendlies.

However, some teams have opted to play them.

For example, Germany will take on Oman on 16 November, while Portugal will meet Nigeria the following day.

With England and Wales both starting the tournament on day two, neither has opted to arrange a warm-up game.

World Cup 2022 venues

The tournament is being staged in eight stadiums in Qatar with the final to be held at the Lusail Stadium, which holds 80,000 and is pictured below. As the name suggests, it is situated in Lusail, just to the north of the capital, Doha.

The second-largest ground is the Al Bayt Stadium, which boasts a retractable roof and has a capacity of 60,000. Situated in Al Khor, it will host the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador.

The other venues will hold at least 40,000 fans. They are Stadium 974, Al Thumama Stadium (both in Doha), Education City Stadium, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Kalifa International Stadium (all in the Al Rayyan municipality) and Al Janoub Stadium (in Al Wakrah).

How will the 2022 World Cup affect the Premier League and EFL?

The effect on domestic competitions is going to be huge.

Many competitions - and all the big ones - have been halted for a period during the World Cup.

In England, the Premier League will stop a week before the tournament with the last games taking place on 13 November. It will resume with the Boxing Day fixtures on 26 December. It is a break of just over six weeks.

As a result, there are more midweek rounds in 2022/23, while the season has been extended a week and will now conclude on 28 May.

This has a knock-on effect for the FA Cup and the Champions League, the finals of which will be played on 3 and 10 June respectively.

However, some Premier League sides will be back in action prior to Boxing Day as the last 16 of the Carabao Cup has been scheduled for 20/21 December. Some look sure to be missing players for those ties.

In the EFL, the Championship will halt after games on the weekend of 12/13 November and, with the exception of one game which is scheduled for 3 December, will resume on 10 December.

League One and League Two will continue throughout the World Cup, while the second round of the FA Cup will also be staged during the tournament (on 26 November).

In Scotland, the SPFL Premiership will stop for five weeks between 13 November and 17 December.

Which teams won't be at the 2022 World Cup?

The highest-profile absentees are European champions Italy, who were forced into the UEFA play-offs and duly lost 1-0 to North Macedonia.

Colombia are the other team currently in the top 20 of the FIFA rankings who failed to qualify.

Of the Home Nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland will both be missing.

Which players won't be at the 2022 World Cup?

The most notable absentee, given how he has started the 2022/23 season, is arguably Manchester City's Erling Haaland - his Norway team failed to qualify.

Title-chasing City will also benefit from the fact Riyad Mahrez and Algeria have already bowed out.

Qualifying results have given Liverpool some much-needed help too.

Mo Salah (Egypt), Luis Diaz (Colombia), Andy Robertson (Scotland) and Naby Keita (Guinea) all won't play, while Joel Matip will also stay at Anfield - he's fallen out with Cameroon and hasn't been selected.

Martin Odegaard (Norway), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine) and Mohamed Elneny (Egypt) get time off which may well suit Arsenal's title hopes, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, of Chelsea and Gabon, is another Premier League star who won't be in Qatar.

Away from the Premier League Real Madrid's David Alaba (Austria) and Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) also play for teams who failed to qualify.

Injuries have also struck several nations, notably France who have lost both Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante.

England will be without both Reece James and Ben Chilwell, while Netherlands' Georginio Wijnaldum and Portugal's Diogo Jota are also among the injury absentees.

More on the World Cup from Betfair!