World Cup 2022 Opening Ceremony: Highlights and Twitter Reaction
Nov 20, 2022
AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 20: Dancers perform during the opening ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar kicked off Sunday with an opening ceremony from Al Bayt Stadium ahead of Qatar's first match against Ecuador.
Actor Morgan Freeman began the festivities with a live appearance from the stadium:
Qatar is a unique host for the World Cup, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to hold the international event. The weather forced the tournament to begin in November rather than its customary time in the summer.
The opening ceremony still provided a quality start to the event and a great sign of things to come over the next few weeks of sporting action.
World Cup Bracket Predictions 2022: Full Knockout-Stage Projections
Nov 20, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 23: Neymar of Brazil in action during the friendly match between Brazil and Ghana at Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, France on September 23, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is wide open, with several elite teams and some intriguing underdogs set to battle it out for the trophy in Qatar.
The upcoming tournament is an unusual one because it is taking place in November and December rather than the summer, giving teams limited time to prepare when compared to past years. It means matches might come down to pure talent over chemistry, with elite players making a difference for their teams.
Injuries are also a bigger concern than usual as the event is taking place in the middle of regular club seasons around the world.
It could lead to some major upsets and surprises over the course of the next four weeks. Here are our full predictions for the 2022 World Cup.
Group A
1. Netherlands
2. Senegal
3. Ecuador
4. Qatar
Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong have each had unusual seasons at Barcelona, but both players continually make an impact for the Netherlands, and that should continue at the World Cup to help the clear best team in the group.
Senegal not only has a chance to advance from the group stage, but the Africa Cup of Nations winner is a real threat to make a deep run. Even without the injured Sadio Mané, this defense can be tough to score against, especially if Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is on form.
Group B
1. England
2. USA
3. Wales
4. Iran
A lot of eyes will be on the young American side, and the talent is certainly there to advance. Christian Pulisic, 24, will be out to prove himself, and he'' be determined to unlock the solid defenses from Wales and Iran.
England will have too much firepower in the attack, with Harry Kane and Phil Foden among those ready to carry the team to first place in Group B.
Group C
1. Argentina
2. Poland
3. Mexico
4. Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi is 35 years old, but he continues to thrive at club level with Paris Saint-Germain, and he makes Argentina a legitimate contender once again. After winning the Copa America last year, the squad is fully prepared for another run at the World Cup.
The battle for second place in this group will be a good one, although Robert Lewandowski could do enough to lift Poland past an inconsistent Mexico.
Group D
1. France
2. Denmark
3. Australia
4. Tunisia
France continues to deal with injuries, with Karim Benzema the latest to go down after suffering a thigh injury in training. There still isn't anyone in this group who can contain Kylian Mbappé, especially when flanked by Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and others. The attackers can do enough individually to torch just about any defense in the world, especially those in Group D.
Denmark doesn't feature as many household names, although it's an experienced and organized squad that reached the European Championship semifinals last year. A healthy Christian Eriksen and a balanced roster should be enough to reach the knockout stage.
Group E
1. Germany
2. Spain
3. Costa Rica
4. Japan
Group E is arguably the strongest at the top with two title contenders in Germany and Spain, although few people will pick anyone else to advance here.
Germany gets the edge thanks to its midfield, featuring Joshua Kimmich, İlkay Gündoğan and Leon Goretzka. This group should control possession and get the ball to their attackers, preventing teams like Spain from doing much on the other end.
Group F
1. Belgium
2. Canada
3. Morocco
4. Croatia
Canada finished on top of the table in CONCACAF qualifying and won't slow down at the World Cup, thanks to an exciting brand of soccer featuring several players who can score at any given moment. Even if Alphonso Davies is limited, Jonathan David and others will provide plenty of offense.
Belgium should still top the group with a veteran squad led by Kevin De Bruyne and elite goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and this might be the last chance for the country's golden generation to capture an international trophy.
Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018, but the squad disappoints this time around as the 37-year-old Luka Modric can't lift the rest of the questionable roster.
Group G
1. Brazil
2. Switzerland
3. Serbia
4. Cameroon
Brazil has reached at least the quarterfinals in each of the last seven World Cups, and there is no reason to believe that will change in 2022. There are simply too many good players for the team to falter in the group stage.
Switzerland has proved to be a tough out in international tournaments and beat France at Euro 2020. They might not have many pretty matches, but the Swiss have what it takes to advance.
Group H
1. Portugal
2. South Korea
3. Uruguay
4. Ghana
Group H might be the most wide-open group, with nearly any plausible finishing order.
The health of Heung-min Son could be a difference-maker for South Korea. The Tottenham Hotspur forward suffered a fracture around his eye in a Champions League game against Marseille earlier in November. He was still named to the roster and should be able to make some key plays during the group stage.
Portugal wins the group as Cristiano Ronaldo gets closer to a World Cup title despite question marks about his club career with Manchester United.
Round of 16
Netherlands def. USA
Argentina def. Denmark
England def. Senegal
France def. Poland
Germany def. Canada
Brazil def. South Korea
Spain def. Belgium
Portugal def. Switzerland
There is seemingly a major gap at the top among contenders, and they prove themselves in the first knockout round.
The United States has hopes of keeping its run alive, but the elite Netherlands defense with Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk keeps the Americans off the scoresheet. England holds off a feisty Senegal team in extra time as supporters begin to believe a World Cup win is possible.
In the biggest match of the round, Spain outlasts Belgium with its younger, deeper roster. The fresh legs are the difference as Pedri and Gavi emerge as the brightest young stars in world football.
Quarterfinals
Netherlands def. Argentina
Brazil def. Germany
France def. England
Portugal def. Spain
It's not coming home for England as its run ends in the quarterfinal. Manager Gareth Southgate can't figure out the best lineup to score, and France takes advantage with an Mbappé winner to reach the semifinals.
Portugal upsets Spain in the other all-European battle, but it's not because of Ronaldo. While everyone talks about the Manchester United man, it's Manchester City stars Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva who key the victory with their outstanding passing against the questionable Spain defense.
Brazil continues its scoring run against Germany, with Neymar helping the team finally avenge its embarassing semifinal loss in the 2014 World Cup.
Messi can't join his PSG teammates in the semifinal, however, with the Netherlands' stout defense holding Argentina in check. Lautaro Martinez can't pick up the slack for his veteran teammates this late in the tournament.
Semifinals
Brazil def. Netherlands
Portugal def. France
France has what it takes to be the first team to repeat as World Cup champions since Brazil in 1962, but the midfield will be a major story with N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba sidelined by injuries. Forward Christopher Nkunku also suffered a knee injury in training, removing valuable depth with Benzema unavailable.
It catches up to the team eventually, and Portugal can take advantage with the attacking ability of Bruno Fernandes and Bernando Silva.
Ronaldo might not play the full 90 minutes, but the 37-year-old can still come through with one or two key plays to help his team advance.
Brazil ends the run from the Netherlands thanks to the attacking onslaught featuring Gabriel Jesus, Vinicius Junior, Raphina and plenty more.
Final
Brazil def. Portugal
There are a lot of talented teams in this event, but no one can match Brazil in depth at nearly every position.
Neymar, Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos have experience playing in the biggest matches in the world, while younger players such as Gabriel Jesus, Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Antony can rotate and emerge as stars on the biggest stage.
With proven players everywhere on the pitch and a true leader in Alisson in goal, there are simply no holes.
After going unbeaten in CONMEBOL qualifying, Brazil will continue to cruise at the World Cup and win its sixth title.
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World Cup 2022 Format: Group-Stage Points, Elimination Rules and Prize Money
Nov 20, 2022
TOPSHOT - Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Jamaica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on September 27, 2022. (Photo by Andres Kudacki / AFP) (Photo by ANDRES KUDACKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar officially kicks off Sunday when the host nation squares off against Ecuador in Group A at Al Bayt Stadium, which will play host to nine total matches throughout the tournament.
The 22nd edition of the World Cup will be played from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, with all of the action taking place across eight stadiums in Qatar, the first Arab country to host the tournament.
This year's competition marks the final time 32 nations will qualify, as it is set to expand to 48 teams when North America hosts in 2026. This year's group-stage action begins on Nov. 20, with the round of 16 starting Dec. 3.
Brazil enters the 2022 World Cup having won the most titles (five) while Germany and Italy have won four titles each. Other nations to win at least one World Cup include France, Argentina, Uruguay, England and Spain.
Here's a look at what you need to know for the upcoming tournament:
Groups
Group A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
Group B
England
Iran
USA
Wales
Group C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
Group D
France
Australia
Denmark
Tunisia
Group E
Spain
Costa Rica
Germany
Japan
Group F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
Group G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
Group H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
Korea Republic
Group-Stage Points and Elimination Rules
The four teams in each group will compete against each other in the round-robin group stage, and the standings are based on the points gained from those matches.
Three points are given for a win, one point is awarded for a tie and none are dished out for a loss. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, while the bottom two are eliminated.
If two or more teams are tied in the group stage, tiebreakers are first based on goal differential, which is a team's total goals scored minus their goals conceded. If they are still tied, goals scored will determine who moves on.
If teams are still tied, head-to-head records will be used to decide which side progresses.
In the knockout stage, if two teams are tied after 90 minutes, two extra 15-minute periods are played. If the two teams are still tied, penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner.
After the group stage, the tournament moves into the round of 16. From there, eight teams will compete in the quarterfinals, four in the semifinals and two in the final to crown a champion.
The runners-up of the semifinals will compete to determine the third-place winner.
Full list of World Cup regulations available here.
Prize Money
There will be millions on the line at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the international governing body has allotted $440 million in prize money for this year's tournament, a $40 million increase from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Here's a look at what teams will make depending on their finish in Qatar:
Winner: $42 million
Runner-up: $30 million
Third place: $27 million
Fourth place: $25 million
Quarterfinals: $17 million
Round of 16: $13 million
Group stage: $9 million
The two teams vying for third place will meet on Dec. 17 at Khalifa International Stadium, while the two sides vying to be crowned champion will meet the following day at Lusail Stadium.
France is aiming to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Les Bleus would be just the second country to accomplish the feat.
The United States, meanwhile, has never won a World Cup. The country's best finish came in 1930, when it finished third behind Uruguay and Argentina.
The Americans begin their quest to become world champions on Nov. 21 against Wales in Group B.
World Cup Groups 2022: Odds, Group of Death and Most Exciting Matchups
Nov 20, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 27: Neymar (Brazil 10) during the international friendly between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
The FIFA men's World Cup starts Sunday, kicking off the first-ever iteration of the competition in the fall.
Qatar will host the tournament, which will feature 32 teams split into eight groups of four. Those quartets will undergo a round-robin schedule within their groups, and the top two teams in each will advance to the 16-team knockout round.
As is the case every year, there are "Groups of Death" in the tournament. Some quartets appear far more competitive than others on paper, either because the group is deep or because of numerous heavyweights getting drawn together.
This year, three groups stand out over the others. Here's a look at that trio as the World Cup nears.
Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales
Group B is the only group that features four teams in the top 20 of the FIFA rankings. England is fifth, followed by the United States (16th), Wales (19th) and Iran (20th).
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, England is the overwhelming favorite to win the group at -280 ($280 bet to win $100), followed by Wales and the United States (+500 each; bet $100 to win $500) and Iran (+1600).
Led by Harry Kane, who scored 12 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches, England should (in theory) roll to the top of the group. That was the thought in 2010, when England was matched with Slovenia, the United States and Algeria.
However, England scratched and survived just to advance after a win and two draws, one of which was a 1-1 game against the U.S.
The two sides will face off yet again this year, with the game coming on Black Friday. For the U.S., it could be do-or-die if they lose their opener to Wales. For England, it could be win-and-in if the favorites handle business versus Iran. Regardless of the circumstances, that's the match to watch in Group B as a trio of teams look to knock off the world power that is the Three Lions.
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Two of the six teams on the top of the DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup odds ledger reside in Group E. Spain is there at +850, while Germany sits at +1000.
Those two teams are the clear favorites to advance. Their matchup in the group stage is the one to watch here.
Don't sleep on Costa Rica and Japan, though.
Costa Rica caught fire near the end of its World Cup qualifying round thanks to four wins and a draw in its last five matches. They beat New Zealand in the World Cup playoff to advance.
Japan could be a dangerous side in this tournament thanks to the dynamic duo of Takumi Minamino and Yuya Osako, who scored 10 goals each during World Cup qualifying.
Both teams have tall tasks ahead of them against the European powers, but chaos has happened before in the group stage and could well happen again.
Group G: Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia, Switzerland
Brazil is the clear World Cup favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook lists them as +350 to win it all atop the 32-team list.
FIFA's No. 1 team features one of the game's top all-time players in Neymar, who features on a talented roster including English Premier League attackers Richarlison, Antony, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
It won't be a cakewalk for to the top of the group for Brazil (-300 odds to win the group), however. Switzerland (+550), Serbia (+650) and Cameroon (+1200) are all quite capable of advancing to the knockout round.
Switzerland only allowed two goals over eight qualifying matches en route to finishing 5-3-0 for 18 points to top Group C. Serbia also won its group, besting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal by three points. The matchup between these two could determine one of the two knockout spots in this group.
Cameroon is the underdog of this group, but that was also the case in 1990 when the Indomitable Lions made a sensational run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. They haven't been able to get out of the group stage since, but they sport a deep roster capable of advancing to the knockout round.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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World Cup 2022 Prize Money: Complete Purse and Earnings Info for FIFA Tournament
Nov 19, 2022
People gather around the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of the World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Final preparations are being made for the soccer World Cup which starts on Nov. 20 when Qatar face Ecuador. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
For many fans of international sports competition, there are two quadrennial events that outshine all others. There is the Olympics—which occurs every two years, alternating between winter and summer games—and there is the FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup is the highest level of football (or soccer) competition, pitting the best players each country has to offer against one another on an international stage. The FIFA Women's World Cup last took place in 2019 in France, with the United States topping the Netherlands in the championship bout.
Now it's time for the men's tournament.
The 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup is slated to kick off on Sunday, with host nation Qatar taking on Ecuador roughly two hours after the opening ceremony begins. It promises to be the first of many great matches, as national teams compete for glory and a place in world football history.
Oh, and there will be some big financial prizes on the line, too. Below, you'll find a look at this year's payout information for the World Cup, along with a quick preview of the tournament's top teams and odds.
2022 FIFA World Cup Opener
Who: Qatar vs. Ecuador
Where: Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar
When: Sunday, November 20
Time: 11 a.m. ET
TV: FS1
Prize Purse and Earnings Information
FIFA has set aside a whopping $440 million for prize payouts for the 2022 tournament, with $42 million going to the winning team.
According to FIFA, the rest of the prize purse will break down as follows.
The runner-up will earn $30 million, while the third-place team will take home $27 million. Coming in fourth will earn a team $25 million. Teams finishing 17th through 32nd will receive $9 million apiece, while those who make it to the round of 16 are guaranteed $13 million.
Teams finishing fifth through eighth will receive $17 million each. Additionally, FIFA allotted each qualified team $1.5 million ahead of the tournament to help cover preparation costs.
This marks a notable increase from the 2018 payout for the World Cup in Russia. That tournament had a prize pool of $400 million, with $38 million going to the champion. It's also a significantly larger sum than what was awarded for the women's tournament.
The U.S. women's team took home just $4 million—from a $30 million prize pool—for their victory in 2019. The disparity led to the U.S. national teams' decision to split prize money equally between the men's and women's teams through 2028.
And the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand could mark the start of rising purses for women's events.
"Today, the men's
World Cup is the one that is funding all the FIFA competitions,
including the Women’s World Cup. But we have seen new trends in terms of
revenues," FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura said, per Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press.
As the women's game grows in popularity, so too should the payouts. The men's payouts for 2022 are historically high, and it's unlikely that the prize pool for the North American 2026 World Cup will be lower.
2022 World Cup Grouping and Preview
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Brazil is the favorite to win the 2022 World Cup, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. This isn't a major surprise, as the Brazilian team—headlined this year by the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Jr.—traditionally fares well in the tournament.
While Brazil last won in 2002, the team has made the quarterfinals in each appearance since.
According to Bleacher Report's panel of world football experts, however, Argentina is the team to beat in this year's tournament. All four panelists—Alex Windley, Nick Akerman, Shane Evans and Meg Swanick—have Argentina in the final.
From Akerman:
"I just can’t
look beyond a side that hasn’t lost in 35 games and are brushing teams
aside while scoring a lot of goals. Argentina have so many huge
characters in their squad that you’d be inspired to go to war with, even
away from the likely goal scorers. Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero,
Lisandro Martínez, the list goes on.
"Throw in Messi and a little dash of exciting youth, including Julian Alvarez, and you’ve got the recipe for world champions."
While Brazil (7-2) is the betting favorite, Argentina isn't far behind at 5-1. France (7-1), Spain (17-2), England (9-1) and Germany (10-1) are also among the favorites.
The United States team is considered a heavy long shot at 130-1, and that's no surprise. While the U.S. women's team is regularly among the last World Cup teams standing, the men's team hasn't had similar success. It has never placed higher than eighth.
According to Swanick, it's hard to know how Team USA will fare in Qatar:
"This is the second-youngest team in Qatar but among the most talented generations the U.S. has ever had," Swanick wrote. "That
combination of talent and youth makes their success in 2022 hard to
predict. ... I think the United States will reach the round of 16."
Will we a team like the U.S. go on a surprise run? Perhaps, but fans can and should expect one of the favorites to win it all. It will be rewarded handsomely for doing so.
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World Cup Group of Death 2022: Fixtures and Predictions for All Matchups
Nov 19, 2022
U.S. winger Christian Pulisic
The 2022 FIFA World Cup features a
well-balanced group stage that should create plenty of drama as
countries battle for a spot in the Round of 16, but that makes it
tricky to identify a "Group of Death."
Group E (Spain, Germany, Japan and
Costa Rica) and Group G (Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon)
each have a strong case as the toughest pools, but at least based on
the average FIFA ranking of the national teams, Group B takes the top
spot.
That's in large part because none of
the sides in the pool—England, the United States, Wales and Iran—are a pushover. Every team has a legitimate chance to make at
least a modest run in Qatar, with the Three Lions being a title contender if they survive the tricky group.
Let's check out predictions for each of
the Group B fixtures and analyze how the teams that advance will do
for the remainder of the World Cup.
Match Predictions
Nov. 21: England 1, Iran 0
Nov. 21: United States 2, Wales 1
Nov. 25: Wales 0, Iran 0
Nov. 25: England 2, United States 0
Nov. 29: England 1, Wales 1
Nov. 29: United States 1, Iran 1
Predicted Table and Outlook
England: 7 points (2-1-0)
United States: 4 points (1-1-1)
Wales: 2 points (0-2-1)
Iran: 2 points (0-2-1)
England heads to the World Cup on a
six-match winless streak (0-3-3), which includes a 1-0 loss to Italy
and a 3-3 draw with Germany during September's UEFA Nations League
window, the final warm-up matches before Qatar.
It's far from ideal, and the skid led
to questions about whether a last-ditch coaching switch from Gareth
Southgate should be considered, but it doesn't change the reality
that the Three Lions will feature one of the most talented rosters in
the tournament.
A forward group led by the likes of
Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford has the
potential to match up with any attacking group in the tournament, and
England's defense stepped up in a major way last year in the Euros.
The opening match against Iran, a
defensive-minded opponent capable of containing England's pace, is a
perfect first test. It'll quickly show whether the side has turned
the page after its recent struggles or whether they may carry over
into the World Cup.
Outside expectations for the Three
Lions may have faded over the past six months, but this is still a
squad with the potential to reach the semifinals or beyond.
Meanwhile, assuming a return to form
from England, the battle for the second qualification spot out of
Group B figures to come down to the final matchday.
The United States faces a lot of
pressure to resume the program's growth after the extreme
disappointment of missing the 2018 World Cup. It was a major setback
at the outset of what was supposed to become a golden era of American
soccer.
While the USMNT features a solid
attacking core, led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Timothy
Weah and Giovanni Reyna, the single biggest question that will
determine the side's fate is how the defense performs, particularly
the central defenders.
Manager Gregg Berhalter has leaned
heavily on the tandem of Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman but the
results, especially in terms of building attacks out of the back,
have been mediocre at best.
If that issue can be solved, either by
better play from Long and Zimmerman or involving other options like
Tim Ream and Cameron Carter-Vickers, making it out of the group and
possibly even reaching the quarterfinals is within reach.
One thing's for sure: the Group of
Death is going to present a challenge for all four teams.
Harry Kane, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are among the goal scorers that hope to strike the back of the net on a constant basis at the 2022 FIFA...
