The 2022 World Cup playoffs in Qatar were officially announced with the opening rounds defining a dramatic knockout phase.
In the round of 16, the top team from Group A, the Netherlands, will meet the Group B runners-up, the United States. This pairing sets up a clash between a Dutch side known for its high pressing and a United States squad that earned its place through aggressive counterattacks and solid organization.
At the conclusion of the group stage, England, who topped Group B, advances to a meeting with Senegal, the second-placed team in Group A. This matchup pairs England’s familiar tactical discipline with Senegal’s pace and physicality, promising a tense and competitive game.
The Netherlands versus the United States encounter was scheduled for December 3 and was set to kick off at 18:00 Moscow time. The England versus Senegal duel was slated for December 4, starting at 22:00 local time, with both games drawing substantial global attention as fans awaited the next round of action.
On November 30, the final group stage round matches took place in Group C featuring Poland versus Argentina and Saudi Arabia versus Mexico, alongside Group D fixtures involving Australia versus Denmark and Tunisia versus France. These results helped shape the knockout picture as the tournament moved toward the business end of the calendar.
World Cup action in Qatar began on November 20 and extended through December 18, 2022, spread across eight stadiums in five cities. The culminating final was hosted at the National Stadium, drawing huge crowds and showcasing a tournament full of memorable moments, surprising upsets, and standout individual performances.
Among the staff and personnel connected to the event, former Russia captain Andrey Arshavin took on a scouting role at the World Cup. His involvement added an additional layer of expertise and insider perspective to the tournament’s broader coverage and analysis.