SPORTS AND RECREATION

What You Need to Know: 2022 FIFA World Cup

By Catie Moore

The World Cup, the largest and most-watched international soccer tournament in the world, is set to take place Nov. 20. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the 22nd in history and will be hosted by Qatar. If all of this seems somewhat extraordinary, it should! This will be the first World Cup to be held in an Arab country and just the second to be held entirely in Asia. It will also be the first time the World Cup will not be held in May, June, or July – a move prompted by Qatar’s extreme summer heat. Twotime World Cup Champion, France, is set to defend the World Cup title after defeating Croatia in the final in 2018.

How it Works:

The 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament will be the last to host 32 teams, as the expansion to 48 teams will take place at the 2026 tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 32-team field is set and includes 24 teams who return to the competition from the 2018 tournament. Among the teams returning is the United States, who failed to qualify in the 2018 World Cup. The Netherlands, Ecuador, Ghana and Cameroon also return to the event after not appearing in 2018 and Qatar will become the first host to make their tournament debut since Italy in 1934.

The tournament begins in Group Stage, where the 32 teams have been divided into eight groups of four teams each. The two top teams in each Group advance to the Round of 16. The United States are a member of Group B, alongside England, Iran, and Wales, who are making its first appearance at the World Cup since 1958. The opening match for the United States will take place Nov. 21 vs. Wales.

How to Watch:

All matches will be televised in the United States on FOX and Fox Sports 1 with Spanish telecasts available on Telemundo and Universo. You can find the complete Match Schedule here. https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/ en/articles/match-schedule-en

Where to Watch:

Harp & Celt Irish Pub & Res-

taurant: With over 12 flat screens around the restaurant and access to all major sports channels, The Harp and Celt is the perfect spot to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Grab your mate and enjoy a pint in downtown Orlando at the beautiful Harp and Celt Irish Pub and Restaurant.

XL Soccer World: XL Soccer World, located in beautiful Lake Nona is the perfect place to join soccer fans from all over the world. Not only do they offer World Cup 2022 stickers and albums, but every Friday after school is also a trading day for fans of all ages. Enjoy live soccer while watching the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the big screen- an experience like none other!

Wall Street Plaza: Every four years, we see pictures of Wall Street packed with fans watching back-toback soccer matches. Don’t miss out this time around. Wall Street Plaza will live stream the games while blocking off the street, creating a 2022 FIFA World Cup Block Party!