Qatar will compete in their first-ever World Cup at the 2022 tournament, and as the host nation they will be aiming to provide a shock.
Qatar qualified automatically for the event by virtue of being handed the right to host the tournament, having fallen in the final round of World Cup qualifying in 2018.
The 2019 Asian Cup champions have been in mixed form this year, but like Russia in 2018 they could surprise a few playing on home soil.
Qatar find themselves in Group A for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a tricky group, but one they stand a chance of escaping from.
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Qatar 2022 World Cup schedule
As the host country, Qatar will kick off the entire tournament when they play their first match on November 20 against Ecuador.
A good result against the South American side will be vital with games against Senegal and Netherlands to round out their group-stage schedule.
Should Qatar qualify for the knockout stages, a Round of 16 match against a side from Group B would await, with England or the USA likely opponents.
Group A match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Nov. 20 | Qatar vs. Ecuador | 11:00 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Qatar vs. Senegal | 8:00 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Tue, Nov. 29 | Qatar vs. Netherlands | 10:00 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
Potential knockout round schedule — if Qatar finishes 1st in Group A
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Round of 16 | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Tue, Dec. 13 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
Potential knockout schedule — if Qatar finishes 2nd in Group A
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | Round of 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
Qatar World Cup group: Group A
Qatar were automatically placed in Group A for the draw as the host country. They were eventually joined by Ecuador, Netherlands and Senegal.
Like Qatar, Senegal are current continental champions, having won AFCON 2021.
Netherlands will be expected to top the group, however, having been in fine form so far this year.
How did he miss THAT!? 👀
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 7, 2022
😅 It doesn't always go to plan in front of goal at the #FIFAWorldCup... pic.twitter.com/oOBAFkjcCS
World Cup Group A betting odds
The pre-tournament betting odds for Qatar and other Group A sides in the major global territories are below (odds via Caesars for U.S., Sky Bet for U.K., Sports Interaction for Canada and Ladbrokes for Australia).
| Team | To win group |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | -200 (US) 8/15 (UK) 1.40 (CAN) 1.53 (AU) |
| Senegal | +350 (US) 3/1 (UK) 5.59 (CAN) 5.00 (AU) |
| Ecuador | +500 (US) 11/2 (UK) 6.96 (CAN) 5.00 (AU) |
| Qatar | +1600 (US) 14/1 (UK) 12.77 (CAN) 17.00 (AU) |
| Team | To qualify |
| Netherlands | -900 (US) 1/8 (UK) 1.13 (CAN) 1.10 (AU) |
| Senegal | -140 (US) 4/6 (UK) 1.74 (CAN) 1.80 (AU) |
| Ecuador | +100 (US) 11/8 (UK) 2.02 (CAN) 2.10 (AU) |
| Qatar | +400 (US) 4/1 (UK) 5.55 (CAN) 4.50 (AU) |
| Team | To win World Cup |
| Netherlands | +1200 (US) 12/1 (UK) 8.47 (CAN) 13.00 (AU) |
| Senegal | +8000 (US) 80/1 (UK) 50.90 (CAN) 81.00 (AU) |
| Ecuador | +15000 (US) 100/1 (UK) 95.10 (CAN) 151 (AU) |
| Qatar | +25000 (US) 500/1 (UK) 161 (CAN) 251 (AU) |
World Cup Group A standings
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1: Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A2: Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A3: Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A4: Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
When is Qatar vs. Ecuador at World Cup 2022?
- Date: Sunday, November 20 (Al Bayt Stadium)
- Time: 7:00 p.m. (local) / 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 4:00 p.m. (GMT) / 3:00 a.m. (Monday, Nov. 21 AEDT)
Qatar will kick off the 2022 World Cup a day earlier than originally planned against Ecuador.
A win for either side is vital if they hope to escape a competitive Group A where they are both underdogs.
When is Qatar vs. Senegal at World Cup 2022?
- Date: Friday, November 25 (Al Thumama Stadium)
- Time: 4:00 p.m. (local) / 8:00 a.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (GMT) / 12:00 a.m. (Saturday, Nov. 26 AEDT)
The current Asian and African champions will go head-to-head in an intriguing Group A match.
Both sides have been in mixed form coming into the World Cup but are capable of delivering when it counts.
When is Qatar vs. Netherlands at World Cup 2022?
- Date: Tuesday, November 29 (Al Bayt Stadium)
- Time: 6:00 p.m. (local) / 10:00 a.m. (ET) / 3:00 p.m. (GMT) / 2:00 a.m. (Wednesday, Nov. 30 AEDT)
Qatar will round out the group stage against the Netherlands.
Depending on prior results, this fixture could be pivotal for the host nation and they'll be hoping the Dutch will be in a position to rest players having already qualified for the knockout stage.
How to watch the World Cup
Here's how to watch the World Cup action in the major global territories:
| Territory | TV | Streaming |
| US | FOX/FS1/Telemundo (Spanish) /Universo (Spanish) | fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo En Vivo |
| Canada | TSN | TSN GO |
| UK | BBC/ITV/STV | BBC iPlayer, ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Sports18 | Voot TV |
Qatar World Cup game times
Qatar resides in the Arabian Standard Time Zone, which is GMT +3.World Cup 2022 kickoff times in the major global territories are:
Group stage:
- 1:00 p.m. (local) / 5:00 a.m. (ET) / 10:00 a.m. (GMT) / 9:00 p.m. (AEDT) / 3:30 p.m. (IST)
- 4:00 p.m. (local) / 8:00 a.m. (ET) / 1:00 p.m. (GMT) / 12:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 6:30 p.m. (IST)
- 7:00 p.m. (local) / 11:00 a.m. (ET) / 4:00 p.m. (GMT) / 3:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 9:30 p.m. (IST)
- 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (IST)
Knockout stage (ET):
- 6:00 p.m. (local) / 10:00 a.m. (ET) / 3:00 p.m. (GMT) / 2:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 8:30 p.m. (IST) (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Third Place Match, Final)
- 10:00 p.m. (local) / 2:00 p.m. (ET) / 7:00 p.m. (GMT) / 6:00 a.m. (AEDT) / 12:30 a.m. (IST) (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals)
