Viewer’s guide for this year’s World Cup in Qatar

A final probability for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kylian Mbappé again on the largest stage of all. Brazil bidding for a record-extending sixth title.

Some of the eagerly anticipated World Cups in reminiscence — as a lot for off-the-field causes as these on it — is simply across the nook in Qatar and pleasure is constructing after the qualification interval was wrapped.

Thirty-two groups, 64 matches, 29 days. The primary World Cup within the Center East.

The event begins on Nov. 20 and the ultimate is about for Dec. 18.

Right here’s just a few issues to look at when the event will get going within the smallest nation ever to host a World Cup:

TOP TEAMS

Brazil (No. 1 in FIFA rating). Neymar, Vinícius Júnior and the remainder of the flair-filled Selecao are peaking on the proper time. Is a primary World Cup title since 2002 on the horizon?

Belgium (No. 2). The “Golden Technology” is steadily breaking apart however there’s nonetheless Kevin De Bruyne main the Belgian cost.

Argentina (No. 3). No World Cup title for the reason that days of the good Diego Maradona. This would be the first World Cup since his loss of life in November 2020 and Argentina is bettering, with Messi nonetheless at its core.

France (No. 4). The defending champions. Nonetheless the nation with essentially the most depth to its squad. Now with Mbappé AND Karim Benzema main the assault. No group has retained its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.

England (No. 5). Semifinalist on the World Cup in 2018, finalist on the European Championship in 2021. Soccer’s most underperforming nationwide group is trending in the proper route.

BIG STARS

Lionel Messi, Argentina. The seven-time world participant of the yr might need been saving his 35-year-old legs for one final push at a World Cup winner’s medal that, to many, would solidify him as soccer’s biggest participant.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal. He has received the European Championship however the main scorer in males’s worldwide soccer hasn’t performed in a World Cup last, not to mention received one. He’s 37 years outdated now — take advantage of him whilst you can.

Kylian Mbappé, France. The star of the final World Cup on the age of 19 and he’s solely getting higher. The speedy striker might match Brazil nice Pelé in being a champion at his first two World Cups.

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium. Broadly thought to be the world’s finest midfielder, his driving runs are among the many finest sights in soccer. Belgium simply has to hope he arrives wholesome.

Neymar, Brazil. More and more overshadowed by Mbappé and Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, nonetheless the primary man for Brazil. Be careful for methods and flicks, and a few histrionics, too.

HOW IT WORKS

Prepare for a feast of soccer. There are eight teams of 4 groups, with the highest two advancing to the 16-team knockout stage.

There will likely be 4 video games back-to-back per day — sure, 4! — for a lot of the first two units of group video games, then simultaneous kickoffs for the final two video games in every group.

There’ll be no break for the knockout stage, which begins the day after the group stage ends. The primary day with out soccer comes on Dec. 7 — the seventeenth day of competitors.

MUST-SEE GAMES

Qatar vs. Ecuador, Nov. 20. The primary match of the event and all the time a date to save lots of on the calendar.

Argentina vs. Mexico, Nov. 26. The primary of the large continental rivalries within the group stage, with Messi doubtlessly sealing his and Argentina’s spot within the final 16.

Spain vs. Germany, Nov. 27. Absolutely there can’t have been many greater group-stage matches than this at a World Cup? Two current champions, two giants of European and world soccer.

Iran vs. United States, Nov. 29. It has been labeled as “The Mom of All Video games Half II.” Identical to on the World Cup in 1998, the 2 international locations will meet within the group stage in a politically charged matchup. Diplomatic relations have but to be restored between the nations since being severed in 1980.

Ghana vs. Uruguay, Dec. 2. Anybody keep in mind the evening of July 2, 2010? Within the final minute of additional time in a World Cup quarterfinal match between Uruguay and Ghana, Luis Suarez intentionally stopped the ball together with his hand on the goalline, received despatched off, just for Ghana to overlook the penalty and lose in a shootout as Suarez celebrated on the sideline. Revenge can be candy for Ghana.

UPCOMING FRIENDLIES

With this World Cup happening in the midst of many international locations’ home seasons, there won’t be the same old pre-tournament build-up of friendlies.

Certainly, for the European international locations, the Nations League qualifiers happening from Sept. 22-27 will signify the groups’ last matches earlier than the World Cup.

Among the many huge video games are Italy vs. England (Sept. 23), Netherlands vs. Belgium (Sept. 25), England vs. Germany (Sept. 26), and Portugal vs. Spain (Sept. 27).

The USA will play Japan on Sept. 23 and Saudi Arabia on Sept. 27, with each friendlies happening in Europe.

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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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