It is less than six weeks until the FIFA 2022 World Cup and bettors are preparing to make some bank from the games at the tournament.
A lot of interesting matchups are on the cards and the odds have already started rolling out on various sportsbooks. Overlyzer is also gearing up to help you make the most of your bets when the time comes.
This article brings you information on some of the key games of the upcoming tournament from the 2022 World Cup schedule and fixtures.
Qatar vs Ecuador
Date: Sunday, November 20
Time: 7 PM Qatar time.
The opening match of the World Cup is always a key fixture. This is because it sets the tone for what is to come. Qatar and Ecuador may not command the same audience that a match between Argentina and Portugal may command, but both teams are very interesting to watch.
Qatar will be going into that game as hosts with the intention of starting the tournament with a win. They will also be looking to give their fans, who will be in full attendance at their first ever World Cup appearance, something to be happy about.
Ecuador, on the other hand, are looking to show that they are as good as their CONMEBOL counterparts who will be strutting their stuff later during the tournament. It will be the lowest profile start to the World Cup since 2010 but the match promises thrills.
Belgium vs Canada
Date: Wednesday, November 23.
Time: 10 PM Qatar time.
Belgium and Canada are going to be meeting for the first time since 1989. The Europeans are second on the FIFA world rankings while Canada have slowly built themselves up to grab the 41st spot on the rankings.
The balance of power is very skewed in this matchup but Canada will be going into the game with a lot to play for. The Maple Leafs are only appearing in their second ever World Cup and are also finally rising to the occasion in the CONCACAF region. This tournament will be their biggest litmus test and they will want to go as far as they can.
They may be unlucky, however, to have Belgium as the first hurdle they need to cross. The Red Devils have long been touted for glory, but have fallen short at all the competitions they have played since then. The closest they came to this glory was the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In Qatar, they will be looking to better that result as it is regarded to be their last opportunity to make any form of history. It is going to be a big battle of underdogs of varying capacities and a fixture to look out for.
France vs Denmark
Date: Saturday, November 26.
Time: 7PM, Qatar Time.
France and Denmark are meeting again for what seems like the millionth time in the past few years. However, it is a match that always delivers for neutrals as both teams always fight to the death for the win.
France will hope to correct the only anomaly from their 2018 World Cup run, which happened to be a draw against Denmark. They also have extra motivation from the recent UEFA Nations League outings which saw them lose two games to Denmark. A third loss will definitely be seen as unacceptable and Didier Deschamps’ men will be willing to shed blood to see that this is not the outcome.
Denmark will also want to round off 2022 on a high. Three wins against defending champions France in a year will be more than what they asked for but exactly what they deserved after a great showing in the European Championship in 2021 and in the Nations League so far.
It is one of the most anticipated matches in the 2022 World Cup schedule and fixtures.
Spain vs Germany
Date: Sunday, November 27.
Time: 10 PM Qatar time.
In terms of history, this is a balanced game. They have met 25 times in the past, with Germany winning nine and Spain winning eight of those games, while they played to a stalemate in the remaining eight games.
But in the World Cup, Germany have always bested Spain. Of their three meetings on the global stage dating back to 1966, Germany have beaten Spain twice and drawn once. Qatar 2022 is an opportunity for Spain to finally get a victory over their fellow Europeans in front of the world.
It is also a battle of two teams with very interesting squads. Of the 32 teams that will be participating in the 22nd edition of the World Cup, both Spain and Germany have the most inexperienced squad (up to five key players with not more than one tournament experience). The power of youth will be on full display in that game.
We will be seeing the likes of Pedri González, Pablo Paez Gavira ‘Gavi’ and possibly Nico Williams up against the likes of Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Nico Schlotterbeck. It will be one to watch.