When does the World Cup 2022 start? Dates, times and location
Your complete guide to when the World Cup 2022 begins, plus the key dates for your diary.
The winter World Cup is happening, and it's here. Qatar 2022 has been shrouded in controversy in the build-up to the tournament but the action will go ahead this weekend.
Teams have landed in the Middle East for the unprecedented tournament, the first to be held in the region and away from the usual summer slot.
The notion of a World Cup at Christmas may not have fully taken hold of the UK, but once the games kick off, the football looks set to be irresistable.
England and Wales will represent the home nations in the Middle East, with the Three Lions set to rank among the hottest favourites to claim the trophy.
Reigning champions France are expected to challenge once again, while the usual suspects Spain, Argentina and Brazil are all expected to go far.
There's pressure on Portugal, Germany and Belgium to perform this time around following recent tournament disappointments.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the dates for the World Cup 2022, as well as some key dates for your diary from an English and Welsh perspective.
For more World Cup features check out: World Cup 2022 TV schedule | World Cup 2022 kits ranked | World Cup 2022 stadiums | Best players at the World Cup | Best teams at the World Cup
When is the World Cup 2022?
The World Cup begins on Sunday 20th November 2022 and will run until the final on Sunday 18th December 2022.
A late fixture shuffle was announced earlier this year with host nation Qatar now set to play Ecuador a day earlier than planned. This means they will open the tournament.
Where is the World Cup 2022 held?
As mentioned, the World Cup will be hosted in Qatar in the Middle East.
The sweltering desert conditions meant that the tournament has been moved to winter to avoid the worst of the summer heat.
Five host cities will bear all of the matches, meaning stadiums will be a lot closer in Qatar than when the tournament is hosted in much larger nations. The cities are:
- Lusail
- Al Khor
- Doha
- Al Rayyan
- Al Wakrah
England matches at the World Cup 2022
Monday 21st November
England v Iran (1pm)
Friday 25th November
England v USA (7pm)
Tuesday 29th November
Wales v England (7pm)
Wales matches at the World Cup 2022
Monday 21st November
Wales v USA (7pm)
Friday 25th November
Wales v Iran (10am)
Tuesday 29th November
Wales v England (7pm)
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Check out our World Cup hub for all the latest from Qatar 2022, including match previews, predictions and analysis.
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Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
