Preliminary draw to be held in Zurich on 7 December at 18:00 CET
Belgium top seeds in Pot 1
13 out of 55 UEFA member associations to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022
As excitement mounts ahead of the UEFA preliminary draw for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ that is due to take place on 7 December at 18:00 CET as a virtual event in Zurich, Belgium were today confirmed as the top-seeded team in Pot 1 following the publication of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
The Red Devils will be joined in Pot 1 by the other top-placed European teams in the ranking: France, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
Based on the ranking, the remaining 45 UEFA member associations will be allocated as follows:
Pot 2: Switzerland, Wales, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, Slovakia and Romania
Pot 3: Russia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Norway, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Scotland, Greece and Finland
Pot 4: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Israel, Belarus, Georgia and Luxembourg
Pot 5: Armenia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia and Andorra
Pot 6: Malta, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar and San Marino
The teams drawn will be allocated to a group in alphabetical order, from Group A to Group J (i.e. the first team drawn will be allocated to Group A, the second team to Group B and so forth). When a draw constraint applies or is anticipated to apply, the team drawn will be allocated to the first available group in alphabetical order as indicated by the draw constraint programme.
As Pot 6 will only contain five teams, these teams will be drawn into the sixth position in groups F to J.
All teams within a group will play each other twice in a home-and-away format between March and November 2021. The ten group winners will qualify directly for Qatar 2022, with the ten runners-up advancing to the play-offs.
Besides the ten runners-up from the group stage, the play-offs will also include the two best group winners from the UEFA Nations League 2020-2021 overall ranking that did not qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and did not enter the play-offs as runners-up. The 12 teams will be split into three play-off paths, which will feature single-leg knockout matches in March 2022 to determine the last three European nations to book a place in Qatar.
The full draw procedures, including details on constraints, are available here.
Fans around the world will be able to follow the draw live on FIFA.com and through FIFA’s broadcast partners.
The Argentinian legend had been working closely with FIFA since 2017
Joined the FIFA Legends programme and took part in a number of events
“To bring football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football.” That was one of the pledges Gianni Infantino made during his campaign to win election as FIFA President. He fulfilled that pledge at the start of his term of office in 2016, setting up the FIFA Legends programme.
In their capacity as footballing legends who have made an indelible mark on the history of the game, a number of former players and coaches – both male and female – joined the movement with the idea of making their voices heard, utilising their profiles and bringing their skills to bear in support of the tournaments and events organised by FIFA.
Chief among these great names of the game was Diego Maradona, who passed away on Wednesday 25 November, leaving the world in mourning.
In January 2017, the Argentinian wizard attended The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 to present the Best FIFA Men’s Coach award. “It’s like a dream for me,” said Maradona before the ceremony. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I’m going to savour it.” Admitting to being “a little bit nervous” about walking on to the stage, he added: “It’s strange because I never felt so tense before a final or a semi-final.”
The legendary No.10 enjoyed a very special moment before the ceremony as he was reunited with the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, which he had lifted into the air at Mexico 1986.
2017 also saw him take part in the 67th FIFA Congress in Manama (Bahrain) and open a shopping centre with a match in which he played alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Carli Lloyd and Nia Kuenze.
He then appeared at the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 in St Petersburg, before starring once again at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London that October, where he presented the FIFA Best Men’s Player award to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Maradona was also involved in the preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, taking part in the Final Draw. He was in the stands for the Opening Match, the Final and for some of Argentina’s matches.
That same year, El Pibe del Oro (‘Golden Boy’) shared his memories of Mexico 1986 with FIFA TV for the One to Eleven documentary.
In April 2020, the Argentinian wizard joined his fellow FIFA Legends for the #WeWillWin campaign in support of the health and key workers fighting on the front line against Covid-19.
Then, in June, having been moved by the events that led to the start of the #StopRacism #StopViolence campaign, Maradona gave his full support.
The FIFA Arab Cup 2021 will feature 22 national teams from the Arab region
Gianni Infantino says the tournament will unite the region
It will also help Qatar continue preparations for the FIFA World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that 22 national teams from the Arab region have signed up to participate in the FIFA Arab Cup, which will be staged from 1 to 18 December 2021. Speaking during a visit to Lusail Stadium, which will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Final, the FIFA President stated that he expected the regional tournament in 2021 to unite millions of football fans from across the Middle East and Arab world.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “We are delighted that all 22 teams from across the Arab world have agreed to take part in the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, which will be held in up to seven out of eight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums, and we are looking forward to seeing the region’s best teams battle it out to see which nation will become champion. Through football, this tournament will unite over 450 million people from across the region, and we are confident that the FIFA Arab Cup will help to build excitement across the region as we edge ever nearer to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world in 2022.”
QFA President, H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, said: “Qatar looks forward to welcoming 22 Arab national teams and their fans, and giving them the opportunity to be one of the select teams that will experience what Qatar has prepared to host the FIFA World Cup.”
His Excellency added: “The tournament will give our national team the chance to enhance their preparations ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, by going up against some of the best teams in the region.”
“Fans from across the region will be treated to the same world-class experience that awaits fans from around the world when they flock to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. We welcome our friends from the Middle East and the Arab world to join us in what will be an important milestone and a final test of our preparations, only one year away from us hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the region,” added the QFA President.
The draw for the tournament is scheduled to take place in Doha in April 2021, with match tickets subsequently going on sale. The ten highest-ranked nations according to the FIFA world ranking (April 2021 edition) will qualify automatically for the final stage of the tournament, while the remaining 12 teams will take part in a play-off competition to decide the remaining six places.
The 22 participating teams are: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The 16 teams that take part in the final stage will be split into four groups, with the top two from each qualifying for the quarter-finals. A total of 32 matches will be held over 18 days.
The tournament will be delivered by FIFA, the Qatar Football Association, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC. Seen as a vital opportunity to test operations and facilities ahead of Qatar 2022, the tournament will take place in the same timeslot as the FIFA World Cup. The finals of both the FIFA Arab Cup and FIFA World Cup will take place exactly one year apart – each on 18 December, Qatar National Day, which is a public holiday.
Qatar 2022 Global Ambassador Samuel Eto’o talks World Cup host nation
Former Cameroon superstar hails Qatar’s suitability for visitors
Compact World Cup means easy access to stadiums for players and supporters
Samuel Eto’o believes the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will offer many unique and memorable experiences for fans when the next edition of football’s showpiece event heads to the Middle East and Arab world in two years’ time.
In an interview with qatar2022.qa, the former Cameroon international – who serves as a Global Ambassador for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) – highlighted some of his favourite places to visit in the country.
“I enjoy visiting lots of different places when I’m in Qatar,” said Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year. “Sometimes, I like to go to the Villaggio Mall and on other occasions I enjoy visiting the Katara Cultural Village, which has many shops and restaurants. I also love Banana Island, which is a brilliant holiday destination if you want to get away from it all.
“I’m sure fans will find many interesting places to visit when they arrive in this magnificent country in 2022.”
Eto’o’s initial experiences of Qatar were shaped during a brief playing spell with Qatar Sports Club during the 2018/19 season. He believes fans will be amazed by the friendliness of the people and the safety of the country. Qatar is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world.
“I like the people in Qatar, they are open and sincere,” said Eto’o. “I also like the fact you always feel safe and secure in Doha and throughout the country.
“These things should offer football fans a level of reassurance when they come to Qatar for the World Cup. I believe they will be able to have a great time visiting the country and watching the best players in action during the tournament.”
Having appeared in four World Cups for Cameroon, Eto’o is aware of the logistical challenges that players have faced in previous tournaments. With Qatar 2022 set to be one of the most compact World Cups ever staged, it will not just be the fans that will benefit. Players will never be more than about an hour from any of the eight stadiums and will have the luxury of staying in the same place throughout the tournament.
“The players will not be so tired because they won’t have to travel to games by plane,” Eto’o said. “They will be based in the same city and have the optimum time to train and prepare. That will be good because they will be fresher when they take to the pitch and compete.
“The players will have the chance to use the best facilities in the world, whether it is the spectacular new stadiums that will host matches or the world-class training facilities. One thing is for sure, what the players will experience in Qatar will be a reward for their efforts in qualifying for this World Cup.”
Eto’o’s time in the Qatar Stars League also allowed him to assess the quality of the players that will represent the host nation in 2022. Qatar will head into the tournament as the champions of Asia – and Eto’o believes the Maroons have the quality to shine on a global stage.
“I expect them to be competitive because they have built a winning mentality by becoming Asian champions,” he said. “What is important now for Qatar is that they take advantage of every opportunity to play the best national teams in the world and learn from those experiences. They have some good players, including Akram Afif, who I rate highly. I wish them all the best.”
To mark the two-year countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, check out the progress we are making at each of our eight stadium sites.
Three stadiums – Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City – have all been inaugurated and are fully operational, with the remaining five at various stages of construction.
All eight stadiums will be completed well in advance of the tournament, which will kick off on 21 November 2022.
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
Al Bayt Stadium
Capacity: 60,000
Designer: Dar Al-Handasah
Distance from Doha city centre: 43km (27 miles)
A remarkable sight will welcome fans to Al Bayt Stadium, which is being delivered by Aspire Zone Foundation. Designed to represent Arab hospitality, the venue will host nine matches through to the semi-finals stage of Qatar 2022 and is covered by a structure resembling a traditional Arab tent known as ‘bayt al sha’ar’, complete with a state-of-the-art retractable roof.
Construction update:
The stadium structure has been completed and is ready to host matches. This includes the laying of the stadium pitch in world record time. It is the second Qatar 2022 tournament venue to achieve a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The surrounding Al Bayt Park is also open to the public.
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
Al Janoub Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Design inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid
Distance from Doha city centre: 23km (14 miles)
Located in Al Wakrah with a design inspired by the late British-Iraqi architect Dame Zaha Hadid, the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhow boats – in tribute to Al Wakrah’s seafaring past. An innovative cooling system and retractable roof mean the stadium can be used all year round.
The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 ahead of that year’s Amir Cup final. More recently, Al Janoub played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition. The stadium has also been chosen by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as the venue for the 2020 AFC Champions League final on 19 December.
Al Rayyan Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Ramboll
Distance from Doha city centre: 22km (14 miles)
Al Rayyan Stadium will showcase the very best of Qatari culture when it hosts seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The outer façade will be made up of intricate patterns representing Qatar, from its history of trade to its varied wildlife. Al Rayyan’s desert landscapes will be reflected on the façade – and in the dune-shaped hospitality areas and merchandise stalls dotted around the stadium complex.
Construction update:
Recent infrastructure completions include the stadium façade, seating installation and the playing surface. The stadium is set to be inaugurated in the near future.
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar
Al Thumama Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
The design of Al Thumama Stadium is inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional woven cap worn for centuries by men across the Arab world. It is the first FIFA World Cup™ venue to be designed by a Qatari architect – Ibrahim M. Jaidah. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022.
Construction update:
Roof and façade works have been completed, as has the stadium’s bleacher installation. Seat installation, along with mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, plus finishing, are ongoing.
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium, Qatar
Education City Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 12km (7 miles)
Education City Stadium is located at the heart of Qatar Foundation – a vibrant centre for knowledge and innovation where this ultramodern arena will be a fitting addition and lasting symbol of sustainability. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022 and eventually become the home of the Qatar women’s national team.
The stadium became the first Qatar 2022 tournament venue to receive a five-star GSAS sustainability rating ahead of its inauguration in June 2020. More recently, Education City played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition.
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar
Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
On 19 May 2017, Khalifa International Stadium became the first FIFA World Cup 2022™ stadium to open when it hosted the Amir Cup final in front of more than 40,000 fans. Located in Aspire Zone, the historic venue has previously hosted the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup. The stadium is set to host eight matches up to the third-place play-off during Qatar 2022.
Recent events to have taken place at Khalifa International include the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™. This year, the stadium played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition.
Lusail Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
Designer: Foster + Partners
Distance from Doha city centre: 16km (10 miles)
The 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium will embody Qatar’s ambition and its passion for sharing Arab culture with the world. The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. The venue will also become the centrepiece of Lusail – a newly built, state-of-the-art metropolis, designed specifically with residents’ needs in mind. The stadium will host ten matches up to and including the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Construction update:
The stadium’s concrete works and bowl steel installation have been completed, while the roof big lift has commenced. The installation of the stadium’s steel structure and façade are ongoing, as are the mechanical, engineering, plumbing and finishing works.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Qatar
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 10km (6 miles)
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be the first fully demountable and re-usable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup™ history. Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, this 40,000-capacity stadium will be built using shipping containers and other modular materials. Overlooking the stunning Doha Corniche and West Bay skyline, the stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022.
Construction update:
The stadium will be built using 998 modular containers, with the delivery and installation of all remaining containers now completed. This includes special containers for the completed Kahramaa Primary Substation. All remaining structural steel members, including tension rods, have also been delivered and installed. Installation of all seats in the stadium’s bowl has also been completed.
