FIFA have unveiled the preliminary match schedule for the 2022 Men’s World Cup to be held in Qatar. The host nation will play the opening match on MON 21 NOV 2022 in Al Khor, and the final match is set for SUN 18 DEC 2022 in Lusail. Venues and kickoff times for the group phase matches will be decided after the final draw.

Because the tournament is being played outside the typical June-July period, FIFA agreed to shorten it to 28 days from the typical 32. As a result, four matches will be played per day throughout the group phase. Matches on MON 21-MON 28 NOV 2022 will kick off at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, and 19:00 UTC [13:00, 16:00, 19:00, and 22:00 AST]. For the final round of group matches on TUE 29 NOV-FRI 02 DEC 2022, the kickoff times are 15:00 and 19:00 UTC [18:00 and 22:00 AST].

On odd days during the group phase, the matches will be played at Al Khor, Al Rayyan, and Doha’s Al Thumama and Khalifa International stadiums. Matches on even days will be played at Lusail, Al Wakrah, and Doha’s Education City and Ras Abu Aboud stadiums.

However, specific matches in the group phase, other than the opening match, have not yet been assigned venues and kickoff times. This will be done after the final draw.

The elimination phase begins on SAT 03 DEC 2022, with matches starting at either 15:00 or 19:00 UTC. The third place match will be played at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha at 15:00 UTC [18:00 AST] on SAT 17 DEC 2022, and the final will be played in Lusail at the same time the following day.