Key Fixtures

QATAR v ECUADOR – MON, 21 NOV

2AM AEST/3 AEDT/2:30 ACDT/1:30 ACST

The opening game of the World Cup is sure to be a fiery clash, their one and only meeting ended 4-3 in favour of Qatar. It wasn’t without its heated moments with two Ecuadorians red carded in the match. This will be a great opportunity to see what Qatar can bring to the world stage in their first ever World Cup. A match-up of this intensity should be a great kick-off for the 2022 World Cup.

The return of Netherlands to the World Cup and the rise of Senegal, this should be a quality game. After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, and with news of their Manager’s (Louis van Gaal) prostate cancer diagnosis, the Dutch have all the motivation they could ask for going into this tournament. This, paired with quality of their star-studded line-up should spell a good campaign for the Dutch. The Africa Cup of Nations Champions head into this game as underdogs but should not be underestimated. Having beat Egypt twice in penalties to win the Cup of Nations and qualify for the World Cup, Senegal knows how to get a result. Then there’s Sadio Mane who can win the game for them at any moment.

Is this the last World Cup for the Belgium Golden Generation? The second ranked nation in world football are clear favourites in this match, with the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku, Couture and more. Then there’s Canada. They have been waiting 36 years for their chance at the World Cup and this is their chance to make their mark. This young squad will look to bring their high tempo to this game and hope for a result.

SENEGAL v NETHERLANDS – 22 NOV

2AM AEST/3 AEDT/2:30 ACDT/1:30 ACST

BELGIUM v CANADA – 24 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

BRAZIL v SERBIA – FRI, 25 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

The number one ranked side in the world Brazil are coming off their most successful CONMEBOL (South American) qualifying campaign ever and are heavy favourites in this match. Their star-studded line-up will see Brazil score many goals this tournament. However, Serbia is not to be underrated. With the likes of Vlahovic, Tadic, Jovic and Mitrovic, the Serbian national team have plenty of firepower themselves. Can they get an upset against the World Cup favourites?

The homeland versus the colony. Football against soccer. England and the USA. These countries are no strangers to each other, their rivalry breaking the realms of sport has lasted generations. England head into this clash as favourites, with many of their stars representing the best teams in the English Premier League. You shouldn’t discount the U.S with stars like Christian Pulisic, McKennie and Tyler Adams representing their country. It should also be noted that England are yet to win against the USA in their previous two meetings at the World Cup, earning a draw and suffering a loss. This will be a very interesting game.

There’s no denying France’s star power with the likes of Mbappe and Benzema leading their forward line, however, in the group stages last World Cup, France was held to a 0-0 draw by Denmark. Being the two best ranked teams in the group, this match will be crucial in deciding which team gets the easier draw in the knockout stages. With the return of Christen Eriksen for Denmark, who suffered a cardiac arrest last World Cup, there will be plenty of eyes over this match. France are the favourites, but don’t rule Denmark out for a win.

ENGLAND v USA – SAT, 26 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

FRANCE v DENMARK – SUN, 27 NOV

2AM AEST/3 AEDT/2:30 ACDT/1:30 ACST

ARGENTINA v MEXICO – SUN, 27 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

Argentina lead Mexico in the World Cup head-to-head 3-0. With the likes of Messi, Di Maria, Rodrigo de Paul, Lautaro Martinez, Argentina head into this match as the favourites but you never know, Mexico have made it out of the group stages of every World Cup its qualified for since 1978. This game is particularly important for the two sides as they both face Poland in the group stages. Both sides will be desperate for a win to qualify for the knockout stages, but Messi will be eager to do more than that in his last World Cup.

The European powerhouses. The 2010 (Spain) and 2014 (Germany) World Cup champions collide. Both sides will be eager to brush off the World Cup Champions curse this time round. Spain and Germany, in the following World Cup after winning have failed to make it out of the group stages, Spain crashing out in 2014 and Germany in 2018. You can’t deny the quality these two teams possess, Spain’s young talent bursting through and Germany’s experience. This will be a game of the highest quality.

It’s revenge time for Portugal, looking to avenge their defeat against Uruguay, the team that knocked them out in the round of 16 of the last World Cup courtesy of an Edison Cavani double. This will likely be the last World Cup for a few Uruguay legends, including Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Godin. Likewise for Portugal this may also be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup as well. It’s hard to say who the favourite is for this one with Uruguay’s experienced forward line against Portugal’s midfield, and of course, Ronaldo.

SPAIN v GERMANY – MON, 28 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

PORTUGAL v URUGUAY – 29 NOV

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

POLAND v ARGENTINA – THU, 01 DEC

5AM AEST/6 AEDT/5:30 ACDT/4:30 ACST

World Cup games are usually greater than any individual battle, but this one can’t be ignored, Messi against Lewandowski. The 2021 Ballon D’or holder against the current FIFA Player of the Year recipient. The two best players in the world come head-to-head. Argentina are once again favourites in this match, but they should not be complacent, Poland has lethal quality up front. Another tough game that will be important in deciding which team will progress to the next stage.

The clash of the aging golden generations. Belgium is yet to win any trophy with arguably their best generation of players, and this may just be their last chance to do so. The same can be said for Croatia, with this tournament likely to be many of their last national team campaign. Especially for the 37-year-old Luka Modric, who will be wanting to improve on the team’s second place in Russia. Like Germany and Spain, this will be another game of the highest quality, you don’t want to miss this.

Everyone remembers how this match ended in the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana was about score the winner to make the semi-finals when Luis Suarez handled the ball on the goal line. The Ghanian striker Gyan missed the penalty and subsequently, went on to lose to Uruguay in a penalty shootout. This was painted as one of the most infamous victories in World Cup history. With the history of this match, this might just be the most anticipated match of the group stages.

CROATIA v BELGIUM – FRI, 02 DEC

1AM AEST/2 AEDT/1:30 ACDT/12:30 ACST

GHANA v URUGUAY – SAT, 03 NOV

1AM AEST/2 AEDT/1:30 ACDT/12:30 ACST