Top Group Stage Matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ starts, there are matchups that everyone will circle on their calendars. There will be 64 soccer games played at Qatar 2022™, and if every game ends in regulation, that’s 5,760 minutes of soccer – not including stoppage time. *Insert complaints from non-soccer fans about stoppage time not making sense.* But we digress! The point remains, there is a lot of soccer that’s going to happen from November 20th to December 18th. And unless you're like me (a psycho), or it’s your job, you’re probably not going to watch every single game of the FIFA World Cup™.
Especially with the time change from Qatar to the United States, you’re going to have to pick and choose your battles when to either wake up early or block off time on your work calendar. We’ve gone through the agonizing task of selecting the games you don’t want to miss at Qatar 2022™. Every match is on FOX and FS1 in English. You can watch all 64 games on FOX and FS1 with Sling in select markets where FOX is available on Sling Blue. For everyone else not in those markets, you can watch every match on FS1. Follow this link a complete look at the schedule.
Every USMNT Game
https://www.youtube.com/embed/IdtE5_VlO7A
We’re going to get this out of the way: Of course we are going to put every single United States Men’s National team on the list! So if you’re not interested in the Yanks, then continue to scroll down to the other juicy group stage matchups.
United States vs Wales: November 21, 2022, 2pm ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
When the whistle blows in Al Rayyan Stadium, the 3,065-day wait to watch the USMNT in a FIFA World Cup™ match will come to an end. The USMNT have the second-youngest squad in Qatar, with the average age being 25 years and 175 days old. Many think Qatar 2022™ is all about gaining experience for a new crop of talent that now play overseas, talent that will peak when the 2026 version of the tournament takes place stateside. But others believe this team is skilled enough to make a run this year. However, dropping points in the first game makes advancing to the knockout stage that much harder, and let’s be honest, stressful. The last time the US was in the FIFA World Cup™, no one picked them to get out of a group with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. They won their first match thanks to an 86’ winner from John Brooks (not in the US squad this time around). A tie isn’t ideal, but a loss would be detrimental with a talented England team up next. All we can say is, this is the first time you’ll be looking forward to a Monday.
United States vs England: November 25, 2022, 2pm ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
Thanksgiving leftovers AND the US taking on England in the FIFA World Cup™!? *Chefs kiss* Regardless of the result of the first game, this match against England is a measuring stick for the U.S. These two nations last met in the World Cup™ in 2012 and it ended in a 1-1 tie thanks to Three Lions goalkeeper Robert Green surrendering an absolute howler (Howler - defined as a ”glaring and possibly amusing error made by a player or referee during a match” - is among the soccer-specific jargon you can expect to pick up over the next month). Both teams made it out of the group stage that year before both losing in the round of 16. The U.S. is known to get up for these types of games, so all the pressure will be on England, which has high expectations after their deep run in the Euros last year. If you can only watch one U.S. game, make it this one.
United States vs Iran: November 29, 2022, 2pm ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
It’s impossible to know what the situation will be going into the U.S.’s final group stage match against Iran. Politics aside, this is going to be a tough match for the U.S., as Iran actually finished at the top of Asia qualifying thanks to their lethal counter-attack. The U.S. has struggled breaking down teams who sit back in their own third. In an ideal world, the U.S. will already have advanced or needs only a tie. No matter the situation for Iran, they will bring it and try to spoil the US’s dreams of advancing to the knockout round.
The Best Group Stage Matchups
https://www.youtube.com/embed/64opKadaHr0
France vs Denmark: November 26, 2022, 11am ET on FS1
Available on Sling Blue
Denmark took the Euro’s by storm two summers ago. The little nation witnessed one of their best players, Christian Eriksen, go into cardiac arrest in their first match of the tournament. The Danes then ripped through the group stage before losing in extra time of the semifinal vs England. On the flip side, the defending FIFA World Cup™champions will look to show they are still the team to beat. Les Bleus are without the midfield pairing that won them the 2018 tournament, with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante missing the tournament through injury. France has plenty of talent, and can plug in the young Real Madrid duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni. This will be a statement game for both nations.
Argentina vs Mexico: November 26, 2022, 2pm ET on FS1
Available on Sling Blue
Mexico fans gave a widespread sigh when they saw another date with Argentina on their FIFA World Cup™ Schedule. The Albiceleste have been a thorn in El Tri’s side for years. In their last 9 meetings in all competitions, Argentina have won eight with one draw, which includes two matches in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups™. When these two nations get together, it is ALWAYS a testy matchup. It’s not a question of if there will be drama, but how much.
Spain vs Germany: November 27, 2022, 2pm ET on FS1
Available on Sling Blue
After a day of watching France-Denmark and Argentina-Mexico, you’re going to be itching for more Qatar 2022™ action. And let me tell you, that itch will be scratched. Spain and Germany will be a classic clash of styles…and history. Although both teams have had to go under the hood in recent years and rebuild their once well-oiled machines, talent is not the issue for these two nations. They are just coming off of their golden generations where they had solidified lineups. But father time is undefeated, and both football-crazed nations had to replace some iconic players in the last 4-5 years. It’s time for new names to step into this great rivalry and build their own legacy.
Brazil vs Switzerland: November 28, 2022, 11am ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
The games roll on, but if you’re detail-oriented, you’ll notice all the biggest games are actually at friendly times for your sleep schedule. Next up is a Switzerland team that put France and the rest of the world on notice back in the Euros in 2021. Brazil are the favorites to win the tournament, and quite frankly, have no excuse not to. From front to back, they are the most talented team in the tournament, especially in the midfield and attack. Yes, their defense has some weaknesses, but it’s now or never for the team’s manager Tite to get the Selecao their sixth star. This is another statement game for both nations.
Portugal vs Uruguay: November 28, 2022, 2pm ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
Some would say there isn’t a clear cut “group of death” like years past at the FIFA World Cup™. This year, Group H with Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea is the most applicable candidate. Portugal and Uruguay met in the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ round of 16 in what was a scintillating match. Uruguay triumphed 2-1 thanks to a picturesque finish from Edinson Cavani. Now, South Korea and Ghana join the festivities and both teams are just as capable of advancing to the knockout stage. There is plenty of star power in this game, and if one of these teams can come away with three points, they will be in the driver seat to advance.
Croatia vs Belgium: December 1, 2022, 10am ET on FOX
Available in Select Markets on Sling Blue or for free with OTA Antenna
Belgium and Croatia met the same fate in 2018; neither could get past a France team that won the whole enchilada. Now, with the clock on both nation's “golden generation” dwindling, they will meet in the final match of the Group Stage in Group F. With both Morocco and Canada providing road blocks, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that these two teams will have work to do on the final match day to advance. This is the biggest matchup of the third and final matchday in the group stage – in which all teams play at the same time – and something tells me there will be plenty on the line.
To watch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on FS1 and FOX (in select markets), use the link below to sign up for Sling Blue.