FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will mark the first time in history the quadrennial international football tournament will be held in the Middle East. Typically occurring during the summer months, the tournament will take place in 2022 from November 21 to December 18. Matches will be played in climate-controlled arenas due to the relative humidity in the Middle East. 

FIFA awarded Qatar the right to host the 2022 World Cup in 2010 following a vote among 22 executive committee members. Considered a “bold gamble” at the time, Qatar has since built seven world-class stadiums and redesigned the Khalifa International Stadium in preparation for the event. The final match will be played at the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium. 

FIFA announced the draw and the schedule for the 2022 World Cup on April 1, 2022. The following is a look at five of the most interesting and anticipated matches. 

Netherlands vs. Senegal (November 21) 

The host nation typically plays the first match in the World Cup, but that isn’t the case for the 2022 event. Still, the opening match features plenty of intrigue and should be closely contested. Senegal and the Netherlands are among the favorites in Group A, which also includes Qatar and Ecuador, so both sides will be especially motivated to win the opening match. 

The Netherlands, despite having a FIFA world ranking of No. 10 as of April 2022, failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. It also has something more than team glory to play for, as manager Louis van Gaal recently revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Senegal (No. 20) is the top-ranked African nation and is coming off a victory in the Cup of Nations. Senegal is also striving to become the first African country to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. 

Qatar vs. Ecuador (November 21) 

Although it is the lowest-ranked nation in Group A, Qatar has history on its side as tournament host. South Africa is the only host country not to advance beyond the group stage. Qatar, participating in its first World Cup, has been steadily improving in recent years. The team won a record nine matches in qualification for the 2018 World Cup and advanced to the semifinal of the Gold Cup before losing 1-0 to the United States. 

Ecuador, meanwhile, will need to take advantage of the lower-ranked Qatar if it intends to advance to the knockout round. The match will be played at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium, which was specifically designed with elements to honor Qatar’s past and present. 

Belgium vs. Canada (November 23) 

Canada is another country without much history at the World Cup. The Great White North failed to score a single goal in its lone World Cup appearance in 1986, but in 2022 it finished first in CONCACAF qualifying ahead of traditionally stronger sides Mexico and the US.  

Canada lost only once in its World Cup qualification and will have the opportunity to gauge how much it has improved on a global scale when the team faces Belgium in its opening match. 

“We’re the underdogs,” confirmed Alphonso Davies, Canada’s star player, during a livestream on Twitch. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. We’re there to compete—and we will compete.” 

The top-ranked country in the world for nearly four years until the FIFA’s most recent rankings (it is now No. 2), Belgium is unquestionably the favorite to win Group F, which also includes Morocco and Croatia. The European nation finished third at the 2018 World Cup. 

England vs. the United States (November 25) 

The United States and England will meet for the third time in World Cup history and continue a rivalry that dates back to the 1950 World Cup, when the US scored a shocking 1-0 upset over England that eliminated them from playoff contention. The two teams played to a draw at the 2010 World Cup. Outside of the World Cup, England has defeated the Americans in eight of nine international friendlies, including a 3-0 victory in November 2018. 

England, ranked No. 5 in the world, is the clear favorite in Group B, but the United States (No. 15) boasts a group of young and talented players such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Group B also includes Iran and will include either Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine. 

Spain vs. Germany (November 27) 

The Group E matchup features a pair of highly ranked teams with rich histories at the World Cup: Spain and Germany. Germany (No. 12) won its fourth World Cup in 2014, while Spain (No. 7) won its first World Cup in 2010. Before 2018, Germany finished in at least third place in four consecutive tournaments. 

Both teams are also similar in their makeup as they feature a combination of veteran and young talent. They’re also looking to reclaim their status among the premier European football nations. Group E also includes Japan and will include either Costa Rica or New Zealand.