worldcup_2022_18

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is the 22nd FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial association football tournament contested by the men's national teams of FIFA's member associations. It will take place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. This will be the first World Cup to be held in the Arab world, and the second World Cup held entirely in Asia after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.[a] The tournament will be the last with 32 participating teams. The field will increase to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Because of Qatar's intense summer heat and humidity, this World Cup will be held in the winter, the first tournament not held in May, June, or July and to take place in the northern autumn. It will be played in a reduced timeframe of 29 days. The opening match will be between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. The final will be held on 18 December 2022, Qatar's National Day. The reigning World Cup champions are France, who defeated Croatia 4–2 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.