🇶🇦 FIFA World Cup 2022 - Round One: Opening Ceremony, Match Previews, Fixtures, Stats, Results, Live Updates and More

[Goodness]

It’s go-time and after all the talking, the Qatar World Cup is finally kicking off.

Hosts Qatar kick off the 2022 World Cup against Group A rivals Ecuador on Sunday.

It’s challenging to ignore the numerous disputes and debates off the field, but it’s equally challenging to deny that there is a raised level of intrigue.

Even without taking into account the setting in which it will be played, the biggest event in the game has never before taken place in the Middle East or during the winter in the northern hemisphere.

This is a thread for all the Round one fixtures of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Join the discussion and share your views on the various matches.

[Goodness]

Round One Fixtures

Sunday, November 20

Qatar v Ecuador: Al Bayt Stadium, 4pm (GMT) 7pm local time, 11am (ET)

Monday, November 21

England v Iran: Khalifa International Stadium, 1pm (GMT), 4pm local time, 8am (ET)

Senegal v Holland: Al Thumama Stadium, 4pm (GMT), 7pm local time, 11am (ET)

USA v Wales: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, 7pm (GMT), 10pm local time, 2pm (ET)

Tuesday, November 22

Argentina v Saudi Arabia: Lusail Stadium, 10am (GMT). 1pm local time, 5am (ET)

Denmark v Tunisia: Education City Stadium, 1pm (GMT), 4pm local time, 8am (ET)

Mexico v Poland: Stadium 974, 4pm (GMT), 7pm local time, 11am (ET)

France v Australia: Al Janoub Stadium, 7pm (GMT), 10pm local time, 2pm (ET)

Wednesday, November 23

Morocco v Croatia: Al Bayt Stadium, 10am (GMT), 1pm local time, 5am (ET)

Germany v Japan: Khalifa International Stadium, 1pm (GMT), 4pm local time, 8am (ET)

Spain v Costa Rica: Al Thumama Stadium, 4pm (GMT), 7pm local time, 11am (ET)

Belgium v Canada: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, 7pm (GMT), 10pm local time, 2pm (ET)

Thursday, November 24

Switzerland v Cameroon: Al Janoub Stadium, 10am (GMT), 1pm local time, 5am (ET)

Uruguay v South Korea: Education City Stadium, 1pm (GMT) 4pm local time, 8am (ET)

Portugal v Ghana: Stadium 974, 4pm (GMT), 7pm local time, 11am (ET)

Brazil v Serbia: Lusail Stadium, 7pm (GMT), 10pm local time, 2pm (ET)

[Goodness]

Qatar vs Ecuador

Qatar qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 by being the host nation. But they have blown hot and cold this year, although they have lost only three of their 21 games. The Maroon participated in a preparatory camp in Marbella ahead of the World Cup, winning all five matches, the latest being a 1-0 victory over Albania.

On the other hand, Ecuador’s journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 has been a rollercoaster. La Tri reached Qatar 2022 by finishing fourth in the CONMEBOL leg of the qualifiers. That earned them an automatic ticket to the group stage. But Chile filed an appeal, which CAS later rejected, saying Ecuador had fielded an ineligible player. Meanwhile, Gustavo Alfaro’s men are on a seven-game unbeaten run, although they have won only five matches.

[Goodness]

Qatar vs Ecuador Key Stats

• Qatar and Ecuador have met three times previously, all matches taking place in Qatar. Their head-to-head record is perfectly balanced, with one win each and one draw (six goals each). Their last encounter saw Qatar win 4-3 in a friendly in October 2018.

• The last four opening matches of a FIFA World Cup edition have produced a total of 17 goals, at an average of 4.25 per game. Sunday’s game will be the first time the tournament is kicking off on a Sunday since the 1982 edition, with Belgium beating holders Argentina 1-0 in Barcelona.

• Senegal are the last FIFA World Cup debutant to win their first-ever match at the tournament, beating defending champions France 1-0 in the 2002 edition. Meanwhile, Qatar have won all three of their previous games played at Al Bayt Stadium, with an aggregate score of 9-0.

• Ecuador’s best performance at the FIFA World Cup thus far came back in 2006 when they reached the Round of 16. That tournament marks the only occasion that they have won their opening group match, beating Poland 2-0.

• Qatar will look to become the first nation from the AFC confederation to win their first-ever FIFA World Cup match. Ten of the previous 11 sides have lost (including Israel in 1970), with Kuwait in 1982 being the only side to avoid defeat (1-1 vs Czechoslovakia).

[Goodness]

The tournament hosts have never lost the opening game of a World Cup before

[Hemant]

Qatar vs Ecuador: head-to-head Stats and Last 5 matches record

[Hemant]

Italian Daniele Orsato to referee the opening game

FIFA has described its pick, Orsato, as “one of Europe’s most experienced referees”. He turns 47 on Wednesday.

Until 2016, FIFA had a mandatory age limit of 45 on match officials for international games.

[Goodness]

The World Cup has landed

[Goodness]

One hour to go until the 2022 FIFA World Cup gets underway.

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Qatar XI: Alsheeb; Khouki, Hisham, Hassan; Miguel, Hatem, Alhaydos, Boudiaf, Ahmed; Afif, Ali.

Ecuador XI: Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Ibarra, Plata, Caicedo, Mendez; Estrada, Valenica.

[Goodness]

Record of the host nation in their opening game of the World Cup:

WWWWWWWDDWWDWWDWWDWDWW

Qatar make their debut against Ecuador. Will the trend continue?

[Goodness]

The official FIFA World Cup mascot!

[Goodness]

In the 16th minute, Enner Valencia puts Ecuador ahead

After being saved by VAR in the 3rd minute, there’s no denying Valencia’s from 12 yards

0-1

[Goodness]

A reminder that Ecuador have not conceded in any of their previous six games.

[Goodness]

Ecuador’s last four World Cup goals:

◉ Enner Valencia (2014)
◉ Enner Valencia (2014)
◉ Enner Valencia (2014)
◉ Enner Valencia (2022)

That man again.

[Goodness]

1 – The 2022 edition is the first ever World Cup tournament to see the first goal be scored from the penalty spot, courtesy of Ecuador captain Enner Valencia. Composure.

[Sholadoye]

Pain.

[Samuel]

Qatar 0-2 Enner Valencia

[Samuel]

That opening-goal feeling

[Samuel]

𝐍𝐨𝐰 Enner Valencia scores the first goal of the 2022 World Cup