1. Online Casino
  2. World Cup Guide

Soccer World Cup Qatar 2024

The World Cup is a competition for international soccer teams that takes place every four years. It is a renowned tournament in sports history. The game began in 1930 and has seen different exciting matches through the years.


Qatar is getting ready to play host to the 2022 World Cup, which has created a lot of anticipation for the tournament. As you are our favourite reader, we have prepared this guide specifically for you as a special treat. Continue reading to learn more about the 2022 World Cup and how to place successful wagers.

Kelvin Jones
Kelvin JonesSenior Online Casino Expert
EXCLUSIVE OFFER

SilverSands Casino: Get R400 Free Bonus

🎖 Top World Cup Betting Sites

Affiliate Disclaimer IconAdvertising Disclosure
🔔 Advertising Disclosure: playcasino.co.za contains links to partner websites. When a visitor clicks a link and makes a purchase at a partner site, PlayCasino is paid a commission. Affiliate links and commissions do not impact bonuses and come at no additional cost to players. Our opinion of the casino always remains unbiased in our recommendations.

Where and When Is the World Cup 2022?

Soccer World Cup 2022 will take place in Qatar. Doha, the nation's capital, and surrounding areas will serve as the host cities for all the matches during Qatar's event hosting. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be the first time the tournament isn’t held in May, June, or July. Instead, the game will take place between 20th November to 18th December. This implies that the competition will last for close to one calendar month.

Venues: The Eight World Cup Stadiums

All the eight stadiums for the 2022 World Cup are fully ready to be used. We must say that we are intrigued by their structures. All of these stadiums are within a 55-km radius of Doha, making it possible for fans to watch multiple games in a single day. Even though the tournament will take place in Autumn, Qatar has pledged to provide fully air-conditioned stadiums to combat the heat. 

The training facilities, world cup venues and fan zone in Qatar are all equipped with solar-powered cooling technology. This aids in maintaining a constant temperature of 27 degrees Celsius within these spaces.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Lusail Iconic Stadium

Lusail Stadium often referred to as Lusail Iconic Stadium, will play an essential role as a venue for the World Cup in Qatar. The stadium is designated to be opened to the public officially in 2022. It has the largest capacity among the eight venues used for the World Cup(80,000). It will also be the busiest, hosting ten matches in total. The stadium is scheduled to host six matches in the first round of group play. It will also host a game in each knockout round, including a semifinal and the final game. The structure and façade of the building are inspired by elaborate themes found in art and furnishings from the Arab and Islamic worlds.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Al Bayt Stadium

The opening ceremony and the first match of the World Cup 2022 between Qatar and Ecuador will take place in the Al Bayt Stadium. It is also scheduled to host nine of the tournament's matches. The facility is the second largest of all the host venues in Qatar, with a capacity of 60,000. It is notable for having a massive tent structure covering the entire stadium.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Stadium 974

Doha, the capital and largest city of Qatar, is home to Stadium 974. In addition to having a capacity for 40,000 spectators, it will play host to seven matches during the 2022 World Cup. Teams from Groups C, D, G, and H will compete in the brand-new venue. The 40,000-seat stadium, mostly made of shipping containers, will be demolished after the World Cup. After which, its components will be used to build a waterfront development for the local community.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Al Thumama Stadium

Al Thumama Stadium was inspired by the traditional qahfiya (the cap worn under the Ghutra and Egal) in Arab culture. This is a recognizable Arab architectural symbol. This design was chosen because it represents a cultural bond shared by Arabs all over the Arab world. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 seats. However, it’ll be downsized to 20,000 after the tournament.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Khalifa International Stadium

Eight World Cup matches will be held in the Khalifa International Stadium. The Qatar national team calls the stadium it's home. It can accommodate about 40,000 spectators. This venue will host matches involving teams from Groups A, B, E, and F during the competition.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Education City Stadium

One of the three stadiums in Al Rayyan that will play host to matches during the World Cup is the Education City Stadium. In total, there will be eight matches held at this venue. It is one of the seven newly built stadiums for the 2022 competition, with a capacity of 40,000 seats.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

This stadium is also known as Al-Rayyan Stadium. It was opened in the year 2020, with a capacity of about 40,000 seats available to accommodate spectators during the World Cup. Following the conclusion of the World Cup, roughly half of those seats will be taken out. Some group matches will be held here, including a round of 16 matches.

FIFA World Cup Venues

Al Janoub Stadium

The stadium was previously known as Al Wakrah Stadium. The city's heritage of fishing, pearl diving, and traditional dhow boats inspired the design. After the event, the stadium's capacity will be reduced to 20,000 seats, with the remaining 20,000 donated to football development projects worldwide.

World Cup Qualifiers

The first round of the 2022 World Cup qualification process kicked off on 6th June 2019. The six confederations in charge of organising tournaments are:

  • AFC (Asia)
  • UEFA (Europe)
  • CONCACAF (North and Central America)
  • CAF (Africa)
  • CONMEBOL (South America)
  • OFC (Oceania)

These confederations organise events to allow teams to compete in the World Cup finals. As the tournament's host, Qatar won the competition's automatic bid. The procedure for determining which teams will compete in the World Cup is either organised as a league or knockout tournament. For the league, the organisers will evaluate the fair play points system and rank the teams according to their level of discipline (yellow and red cards).

In knockout competitions, the game goes into extra time if a score is drawn after the two legs tally. If neither team scores during the regulation time or overtime, the organisers determine the winner by a shootout from the penalty spot. Every confederation has its unique system for the qualification procedure - it consists of many rounds to narrow the number of final competitors to the maximum available for that confederation.

2022 World Cup Qualifying Teams

Below is a list of the countries that qualified for the 2022 World Cup.

UEFA Countries: Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, England, Netherlands, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Wales, and Portugal.
CAF Countries: Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, and Cameroon.
CONMEBOL Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uruguay.
AFC Countries: Qatar, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
CONCACAF Countries: Canada, Mexico, USA, and Costa Rica

Following the playoff, the OFC was left without a representative in Qatar after New Zealand lost to Costa Rica.

World Cup Soccer Draw 2022 - Group Guide

The draw for the group stage of the 2022 World Cup was held on Friday, 1st April 2022. On 31st March, the updated World Rankings went public. They used this to sort the teams into separate pots before the draw that took place on the 1st of April. Each group of the 2022 World Cup consists of one team from each of the four corresponding pots.

As hosts, Qatar will be placed in Pot 1, where they will be joined by the seven highest-ranked qualified teams from the Men's World Ranking. The draw will begin with Pot 1 and will conclude with Pot 4. Before moving on to the next pot, each one will be completely emptied. The standard procedure is to draw a ball from a team pot, followed by a ball from one of the group pots, determining the position in which the team will play. Below is a list of the 32 teams in their respective groups of four:

  • 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, South Korea.

Soccer World Cup 2022 Schedule

Below is the Soccer World Cup 2022 schedule based on South African time:

Group Stage

November 20

Group A: Qatar vs Ecuador (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)

November 21

Group B: England vs Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group B: USA vs Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 9:00 pm)

November 22

Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group C: Mexico vs Poland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group D: France vs Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 23

Group F: Morocco vs Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group E: Germany vs Japan (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group E: Spain vs Costa Rica (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group F: Belgium vs Canada (Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 24

Group G: Switzerland vs Cameroon (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group H: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group H: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group G: Brazil vs Serbia matchup (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 25

Group B: Wales vs Iran (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group A: Qatar vs Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group A: Netherlands vs Ecuador (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group B: USA vs England (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 26

Group C: Tunisia vs Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group C: Poland vs Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group D: France vs Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group C: Argentina vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 27

Group E: Japan vs Costa Rica (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group F: Belgium vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group F: Canada vs Croatia (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 6: 00 pm)

Group E: Spain vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 28

Group G: Cameroon vs Serbia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 12:00 pm)

Group G: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3:00 pm)

Group H: Brazil vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 6:00 pm)

Group H: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 29

Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group B: England vs Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Group B: Iran vs the United States (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)


November 30

Group D: Australia vs Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group D: France vs Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group C: Poland vs Argentina (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Group C: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 1

Group F: Croatia vs Belgium (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; by 5:00 pm)

Group F: Canada vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group E: Costa Rica vs Germany (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Group E: Japan vs Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 2

Group G: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group G: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Group H: Serbia vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Group H: Cameroon vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Round of 16

December 3

49 -Winners of Group A vs Runners-up of Group B (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off is at 5:00 pm)

50 - Champions of Group C vs Runners-Up of Group D (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 4

52 - Champions of Group D vs Runners-up of Group C (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off 5:00 pm)

51 -  Champions of Group B vs Runners-Up of Group A (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 5

53 - Champions of Group E vs Runners-Up of Group F (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 5:00 pm)

54 - Champions of Group G vs Runners-Up of Group H(Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 6

55 - Champions of Group F compete against Runners-Up of Group E (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

56 - Champion of Group H competes against Runners-Up of Group G (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Quarter-Finals

December 9

58 - Winners of 53 vs winners of 54 (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

57 -  Winners of 49 vs winners of 50 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 9:00 pm)


December 10

60 - Winners of 55 vs winners of 56 (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha; kick-off 5:00 pm)

59 - Winners of 51 vs Winners of 52 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)

Semi-Finals

December 13

61 - Winners of 57 face off against winners of 58 (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 14

62 - Winners of 59 compete against winners of 60 (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 9:00 pm)


December 17

63 - Playoff for third place (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 5:00 pm)

Final

December 18

64 - The World Cup final (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 5:00 pm)

2022 World Cup Predictions

Brazil is the top favourite of most 2022 World Cup predictions. However, Brazil has a mixed record compared to most European countries. As a result, another European team may win the World Cup. France, England, and Argentina also have high odds of winning.

The following nations are projected to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup in 2022: 

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • France
  • Germany
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
  • England
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Croatia
  • Uruguay

2022 World Cup Odds & How to Read Them

Below are the 2022 World Cup odds.

Country

Odds

Brazil

+450

France

+550

England

+600

Spain

+700

Germany

+1000

Argentina

+1000

Belgium

+1200

Portugal

+1200

Netherlands

+1400

Denmark

+2800

Croatia

+3500

Uruguay

+5000

Poland

+6500

Senegal

+6500

USA

+8000

Serbia

+8000

Switzerland

+8000

Mexico

+10000

Wales

+10000

Ghana

+15000

Ecuador

+15000

Morocco

+20000

Cameroon

+25000

Canada

+25000

Japan

+25000

Qatar

+25000

Tunisia

+30000

South Korea

+40000

Australia

+40000

Iran

+50000

Saudi Arabia

+50000

Costa Rica

+100000

To better understand the odds, we’ll explain the types of football odds available and how to read them for an effective betting strategy.

Fractional Odds

Bookmakers in Great Britain and Ireland frequently use odds expressed as fractions. In most cases, a hyphen (-) or a forward slash (/). A fractional listing of odds of 6/1 would indicate that you win R6 for every R1 you stake. You would also get your initial R1 investment back, which means you will receive your stake (R1) in addition to the profit (R6), resulting in a total payout of R7. 

American Odds

You can also call this the money line odds. These odds are denoted by a plus (+) or minus (-) sign. The plus sign indicates an event with a lower probability but higher payout. This odd has a significant following in the United States. A minus sign (-) tells you how much money you have to wager to win R100. The odds for the underdogs are denoted with a plus sign (+), revealing the amount of money gained for every R100 a player wagers. In either scenario, winners receive the amount they initially wagered plus the amount won. The disparity in odds between the favourite and the underdog is more expansive as the likelihood of victory for the favourite increases.

Decimal Odds

The use of decimal odds is common in Europe, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These are a little less complicated to deal with and comprehend. Simply looking at the odds will immediately reveal who the favourites and underdogs are in any given situation. The number displayed as decimal odds indicates how much one can win for each dollar wagered. The number in decimal odds indicates the entire payment rather than the profit. To put it another way, your bet is already factored into the decimal number. Therefore, there is no need to add back your bet when calculating your payout. This makes the calculation of its total payout much simpler.

World Cup Betting: Types of Bets Available

Various betting options are available to punters who would love to wager on the 2022 World Cup. Below are some popular types of bets you’ll find online.

Types of Bets

Goals

Although picking the correct result is highly challenging, the Goals market offers huge cash prizes. There are several goal-based markets, and some of them are Over/Under, Asian Total, and Total Team Goals. The World Cup may be easier to predict for an Over/Under wager since bettors are liable to spot occasions with wide score margins.

Types of Bets

Corners

The Corners Market is another great option to consider. Corner betting involves predicting the number of corners that will be taken or the teams that will take them. You can check the market when there’s an extreme favourite for a specific matchup. In the World Cup, there is a likelihood of more corners if one of the stronger teams meets one of the weak teams.

Types of Bets

World Cup Top Scorer Betting

The Top Scorer is the same as the Golden Boot, a trophy awarded to the player with the most goals in the World Cup. When wagering on the Golden Boot, check the strikers you anticipate will go far in the game. The favourites to win the award this year include Harry Kane, Christiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema.

In-Game Betting

Betting on a game while still in progress is referred to as in-game betting. During the actual game, the odds posted by sportsbooks will often only shift when there is a timeout or a commercial break. Many soccer fans discover that holding out on placing their bets until the game has started gives them an advantage. In-game betting helps you to assess the style of play. You can also determine whether one team is controlling the game.

Most bet markets are the same as those available before kick-off but with slightly changed odds. The 1 X 2 market will be available until one team scores a few more goals than the others. Once the game starts, you can anticipate markets like Next Team to Score, Over / Under Goals, Over / Under Cards, and Next Player to Score.

How to Place World Cup Bets?

You must first understand the betting markets to place wagers on World Cup odds. Take your time to consider the betting options and study the teams. After considering the necessary factors, choose a reliable bookmarker and register an account on the site. Select a game or futures market you wish to bet on, then click on it - the bookmarker will add your selection to the bet slip. Be sure to check your bet slip to be sure there are no errors. You can then choose an amount to wager and click the confirmation button.

Tips for Betting on the 2022 World Cup

As a player intending to bet on the World Cup, there are a few tips to know if you must be on the winning side. Some essential strategies for betting on the 2022 World Cup include:

  • Consider a wide range of bet types
  • Search for the best odds
  • Keep a betting record
  • Always focus on vital stats
  • Take advantage of bonus offers
  • Hedge your future bets.

Previous World Cup Winners

The soccer World Cup began in 1930. Here is a list of the previous winners from inception till date.

YearWinnerResultRunner Up

1930

Uruguay

4-2

Argentina

1934

Italy

2-1

Czechoslovakia

1938

Italy

4-2

Hungary

1950

Uruguay

2-1

Brazil

1954

West Germany

3-2

Hungary

1958

Brazil

5-2

Sweden

1962

Brazil

3-1

Czechoslovakia

1966

England

4-2

West Germany

1970

Brazil

4-1

Italy

1974

West Germany

2-1

Netherlands

1978

Argentina

3-1

Netherlands

1982

Italy

3-1

West Germany

1986

Argentina

3-2

West Germany

1990

West Germany

1-0

Argentina

1994

Brazil

0-0 (A.E.T) (PENS:3-2)

Italy

1998

France 

3-0

Brazil

2002

Brazil

2-0

Germany

2006

Italy

1-1(PENS: 5-3)

France

2010

Spain

1-0

Netherlands

2014

Germany

1-0

Argentina

2018

France

4-2

Croatia

Where to Bet on the World Cup?

If you're a soccer fan but haven't decided where to bet on this year's soccer World Cup yet, the Supabets sportsbook is always a good choice. The well-established and reliable South African brand offers numerous types of bets: you can type on the cup winner, on specific group winners, on a team elimination, or on a team you think we'll reach quarter-finals or semi-finals.

FAQs

What is the date of World Cup 2022?

The World cup 2022 will run for approximately one month, between 20th November to 18th December.

Can I bet on the 2022 World Cup?

Yes, you can. Virtually all big bookmakers will provide betting odds on the event. You may find various betting markets created specifically for the 2022 World Cup.

Who are the favourites to win the 2022 World Cup?

Brazil is the favourite team to win this year’s World Cup. Argentina and France also have high odds of taking the gold prize.

Can betting on soccer be profitable?

Yes, betting on soccer can be profitable when you use the right tips and tricks. However, remember that no bet is sure. It's either a win or a loss.

How often is the World Cup held?

The World Cup is an event that takes place every four years.

When is the next World Cup?

The next soccer World Cup will be held in 2026.

17+ Years Experience

Kelvin Jones is a seasoned professional in South Africa's online casino scene, boasting over a decade of expertise. He's your ultimate guide in selecting the finest online casinos, providing insights into local sites that offer both excitement and security. Kelvin's comprehensive reviews and strategies stem from a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics, ensuring players have access to top-notch gaming experiences.

Expert on:

check iconCasino Reviewscheck iconReal Money Casinoscheck iconOnline Casinoscheck iconNew Casinoscheck iconCasino Bonusescheck iconMobile Casinos
As Seen On:
  • Mail and guardian logo
  • Cnbcadrica logo
  • E play africa logo
  • Endorphina logo
  • Thunderbolt casino logo
  • The citizen logo

Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.

Phone Icon0800 006 008

PlayCasino aims to provide our readers with clear and reliable information on the best online casinos and sportsbooks for South African players.

Although our reviews and articles are expertly written and regularly updated, they are here to provide information and are not applicable as legal advice.

Keep in mind that local regulatory requirements exist. Make sure you know what these requirements are before signing up to an online casino or sportsbook.

While we do our best to keep information current, promotions, bonuses and conditions, such as wagering requirements, can change without notice. If you encounter a different offer from the ones we advertise, please contact our team.


© PlayCasino All rights reserved

Marketing Performance Media Limited BVI Company number: 2028811

Copyright © 2009-2024

Made in South Africa
  • 18+
  • South African Responsible Gambling Foundation
  • Gauteng Gambling Board
  • National Gambling Board South Africa
  • Casa logo
  • Co2 neutral icon
  • Gpwa approved portal en
DMCA.com Protection Status

Claim These Exclusive Bonuses

logo image for punt casino
200% Bonus & 50 Spins

18+ New Players only. Play responsibly Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.

image for yebo casino logo
R350 Free Chip + up to R12,000 Match Bonus

18+ New Players only. Play responsibly Winners Know When to Stop. Terms Apply.

Get Me More Casino Bonuses

We use cookies in order to optimise our site and improve your experience with us. By using the site you consent to our  Cookie Policy.