Earlier this week, FIFA announced that Qatar will host the 2022 soccer World Cup. The country has spent more than $200 billion on improvements. The country also qualified for the Gold Cup in 2021.
The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 15. The 32 teams will play each other in the group stage and only the top two teams will advance to the round of 16. The winners of each group will be qualified for the World Cup.
France will start the tournament without four key players from last year’s World Cup. Karim Benzema has been ruled out due to an injury to his left thigh. He was injured during training in Doha.
Belgium will be without Romelu Lukaku for the first two games of the tournament. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said: “Romelu is not fit for this tournament.” He is also likely to miss the next two group games.
The Netherlands and Senegal will play on Monday. Uruguay and Portugal will play in Group H. Canada will play Belgium in Group F.
Uruguay defeated Portugal 2-0 in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup. The country will try to win its second title in three years. Its group is relatively manageable.
France will be without defending champion Paul Pogba. The team is also without N’golo Kante, who missed the tournament in 2018. Earlier this week, France coach Didier Deschamps said there was no reason to replace any of his players.