World Cup 2022: dates and times, fully explained

World Cup 2022 schedule at a glance

The 2022 FIFA World Cup ran from Sunday, 20 November to Sunday, 18 December 2022. The tournament took place entirely within Qatar across eight venues, with the opening match on 20 November and the final on 18 December. All listed match dates and times refer to local Qatar time (AST, UTC+4). Key knockout milestones include the Round of 16 starting 2 December, the quarter-finals on 9–10 December, and the semi-finals on 13–14 December.

How to convert times to your local timezone

Because Qatar is UTC+4, subtract the appropriate offset to convert to your local time. For example, 19:00 in Qatar is 14:00 in New York (UTC−5) and 18:00 in London (UTC+1) on the same calendar day. In regions with daylight saving time in effect, add one more hour to those offsets when comparing to Qatar time. Double-check listings closer to match day, because broadcasters may air pre- or post-game analysis that starts earlier or later than the kickoff listed here.

Matchdays and venue layout

World Cup 2022 matches were distributed across eight stadiums in Qatar, allowing fans to travel efficiently between venues. Most days featured two or three concurrent matches in different time windows (afternoon and evening), which created flexibility for viewers in multiple regions. Competitive balance was maintained through FIFA ranking and continental distribution in the draw, with strict limits on shared groups to ensure varied competition each matchday.

• Venue concentration in Qatar reduced travel time between fixtures compared with sprawling multi-country World Cups.
• Evening kickoffs aligned with cooler temperatures and prime viewing hours in European and Asian markets.
• Staggered match windows on the same day let broadcasters serve North American, European, and Asian audiences at preferred hours.

Important milestones in the tournament timeline

Understanding the sequence of matchdays helps you anticipate when your team can advance. After the group stage, the knockout bracket progresses through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final. No additional rest days were scheduled between the semi-finals and the final, meaning teams reaching the latter stages competed on consecutive weekends. This compressed timeline favored squads with deep squad rotation and effective recovery protocols.

Planning to watch live: what to expect

Live broadcasts typically began 60–90 minutes before kickoff for pre-game coverage, with streams available on multiple official platforms. Expect pre-match analysis, team news, and weather updates from Qatar’s climate-controlled venues. Post-match discussion and highlights usually followed immediately after full-time, while pitch-side interviews and referee insights appeared in recap programs within the hour. For accurate local start times, verify your broadcaster’s listings and confirm any schedule adjustments due to weather or logistical factors.

Key dates at a glance