The 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar on November 20 - the first time the tournament will be held in the Middle East.
Thirty-two teams will take part, with the hosts Qatar kicking off proceedings against Ecuador. Sixty-four matches will have been played by the time we know the winners on December 18.
Qatar 2022 will be the 21st World Cup finals, with the first having been staged in Uruguay, who beat South American rivals Argentina in the final to become the first world champions in football.
![October 7, 2021. Venezuela 1 (Ramirez 11') Brazil 3 (Marquinhos 71', Barbosa pen 85', Antony 90 + 5'): Three second-half goals saw Brazil recover from a goal down and maintain their 100 per cent record, extending their lead at the top of qualifying to eight points. "It was a complicated match, we started well below [the level] we are accustomed to," Marquinhos said. "It's hard to get a result but results are what count." Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P6BLUIOW2N34RREVI2WJQ4PQDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89b2608581549ad39b781b6869823a23ebaeb9bbf32a8fc2e4f8f13c7acd1251&width=800&height=546)
![November 11, 2021. Brazil 1 (Paqueta 72') Colombia 0: Three points for Brazil saw them become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar. The game also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal. “I cried of happiness [after scoring] because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done," Lucas Paqueta said.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSL7VTILZNB4247EOH66T3MB3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8f5ab48ceb7a7dcda4ef87c51790c35e461461775bc87b783159cf2425e338a&width=800&height=533)
![Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 (Paqueta 24', Richarlison 45', 90'+1', Guimaraes 66'): A superb performance from Brazil meant Tite's team reached 45 points, a new World Cup qualifying record. "Yes, [the team exceeded] any expectations I could have on the performance, in both qualitative and quantitative terms," Tite said. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2HYJW3FKSIK4CS363ZVLWPD74A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e705cf1406a5fee3121be04e6586bd71628ff5b78882727e99df56ef5754d78f&width=800&height=533)
Which team has played at every World Cup finals?
Brazil are the only team to have appeared in every World Cup. The Selecao also hold the record for most wins with five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). They have also been the losing finalists twice (1950, 1998).
Four-time winners Germany have participated in 19. Italy, also world champions on four occasions, have appeared in 18. Two-time winners Argentina have taken part in 17 editions and Mexico in 16.
Which team is making its debut at a World Cup?
As hosts Qatar automatically qualified for the 2022 World Cup. It also marks their first appearance at the global finals.
Qatar have been drawn in Group A alongside Ecuador, Senegal and Netherlands.
Canada (1986) and Wales (1958) have both previously played at one World Cup each.
Longest gap between World Cup appearances
Wales have had to wait 64 years to reappear at a Fifa World Cup. They went undefeated in World Cup qualifying, and a 1-0 victory against Ukraine in the play-off final secured their place in Qatar.
