2022 FIFA World Cup: Half-way through; the heart-stopping games start today

Photo Credit: FIFA

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: We’re at the midway point of the FIFA World Cup. Out of 64 games, 32 have been played. Today, with the last matchday getting underway for Groups A and B, the heart-stopping games get started as only two per group will qualify to the Round of 16.

Normally at this point, at least six or seven teams have qualified. In this World Cup, only three (France, Brazil, and Portugal) have booked their tickets for the next round. That means from today to Friday, with four games per day, the other 13 will qualify at a rate of three or four per day. The other teams will pack their bags and head back home.

The Netherlands and Ecuador, with four points each, are Group A favourites, but Senegal, with three, can qualify if they beat Ecuador. Qatar have already been eliminated but could spoil the Netherlands chances.

In Group B, all teams can qualify but England, with four points, have the best chances but Wales, who they are playing, need to beat them to have a probability of getting a ticket. If that were to happen, it could complicate England’s chances. Iran, with three points, face the United States, who have 2. A win for either gets them over the hump. A draw would favour Iran and knock out the United States.

Since these are key games, FIFA has scheduled group games at the same time. So, the two Group A games play simultaneously at 9:00 am and the two Group B games play at 1:00 pm.

Here’s the schedule:

Group A: Netherlands vs Qatar @ 9:00 am at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor

Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal @ 9:00 am at Khalifa International Stadium in Ar-Rayyan

Group B: Wales vs England @ 1:00 am at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Ar-Rayyan

Group B: Iran vs United States @ 1:00 pm at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha