The FIFA World Cup in Qatar took place from Sunday, 20 November through to the final on Sunday, 18 December 2022 at the the Lusail Stadium in Doha with Argentina being crowned champions for the third time after beating the previous champions France on penalties after extra time.
32 teams played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Teams qualified – and how they performed and in 2018 in Russia and 2014 in Brazil) were:
- Argentina – Finalist – 2022 World Champions. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. Finalist – Runner-up in Brazil)
- Australia – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Belgium – Knocked out at the group stage. (Semi finalist – 3rd place in Russia. Quarter finalist in Brazil)
- Brazil – Quarter Finalist. (Quarter finalist in Russia. Semi finalist- 4th place in Brazil)
- Cameroon – Knocked out at the group stage. (Failed to qualify for Russia and Brazil)
- Canada – Knocked out at the group stage. (Failed to qualify for Russia and Brazil)
- Costa Rica – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. (Quarter finalist in Brazil)
- Croatia – Semi Finalist – 3rd place, (Finalist – Runner up in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Denmark – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia, previously played in the World Cup Finals in 2010)
- Ecuador – Knocked out at the group stage. (Failed to qualify for Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- England – Quartet Finalist. (Semi Finalist – 4th place in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- France – Finalist – Runner Up (Finalist – 2018 World Champions in Russia. Quarter finalist in Brazil)
- Germany – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Finalist – 2014 World Champions in Brazil)
- Ghana – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2010)
- Iran – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Japan – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. (Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Korea Republic – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Failed to qualify for Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Mexico – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil)
- Morocco – Semi Finalist – 4th place. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Failed to qualify for Brazil)
- Netherlands – Quarter Finalist. (Failed to qualify for Russia. Semi-finalist – 3rd place in Brazil)
- Poland – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Failed to qualify for Brazil).
- Portugal -Quarter Finalist. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Qatar- Knocked out at the group stage. (Never previously qualified for the World Cup Finals
- Saudia Arabia – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia, previously played in the World Cup Finals in 2006)
- Serbia – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia, previously played in the World Cup Finals in 2010)
- Senegal – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Failed to qualify for Brazil)
- Spain – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil)
- Switzerland – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Knocked out in the round of 16 in Russia. Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil)
- Tunisia – Knocked out at the group stage. (Knocked out at the group stage in Russia. Failed to qualify for Brazil)
- United States of America – Knocked out in the round of 16. (Failed to qualify for Russia. Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil)
- Uruguay – Knocked out at the group stage. (Quarter finalist in Russia. Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil)
- Wales – Knocked out at the group stage. (Failed to qualify for Russia and Brazil)
The tournament opened on Sunday, 20 November with host Qatar playing Ecuador. There were then four matches each day from 21 November until 2 December, and two matches each day between 3 December and 6 December (the round of 16) and on the 9 and 10 December (Quarter Finals). Semi-finals were 13 and 14 December; 3rd place play off on 17 December with the final on 18 December.
During the entire period of the cup, from 20 November to 18 December, the only rest days with no games were 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 and 16 December.