FIFA World Cup 2022: Key details of mascot and schedule
FIFA has announced La'eeb as the official mascot for the FIFA World Cup 2022 which will be held from November 21 to December 18 in Doha. The mascot was unveiled on the night of the draw in Doha. The word "La'eeb" in Arabic corresponds to "super-skilled player". As per FIFA, La'eeb comes from a parallel world for mascots. Here are the details.
Why does this story matter?
As per FIFA, La'eeb comes from a world of mascot-verse that can't be put down in words. La'eeb signifies fun and cheerfulness. Its role would be to spread happiness and confidence among fans across all age groups for the impending FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Notably, La'eeb has been instrumental in some of the most iconic moments in the sport's history.
FIFA's statement on La'eeb
"We are delighted to unveil La'eeb as the Official Mascot for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world. He comes from the mascot-verse - a place that is indescribable. We encourage everyone to imagine what it looks like," read a statement by FIFA.
Schedule for teams in Group A
November 21: Qatar vs Ecuador, Al Bayt Stadium (3:30 PM IST) November 21: Senegal vs Netherlands, Khalifa International Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 25: Qatar vs Senegal, Al Thumama Stadium (6:30 PM IST) November 26: Netherlands vs Ecuador, Al Rayyan Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 29: Netherlands vs Qatar, Al Bayt Stadium (3:30 PM IST), Ecuador vs Senegal, Khalifa International Stadium (9:30 PM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group B
November 21: England vs Iran, Khalifa International Stadium (6:30 PM IST); USA vs Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 25: England vs USA, Al Bayt Stadium (3:30 PM IST); Wales/Scotland/Ukraine vs Iran, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 29: Wales/Scotland/Ukraine vs England, Ahmad Ali Stadium (6:30 PM IST) November 30: Iran vs USA, Al Rayyan Stadium, (12:30 AM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group C
November 23: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 22: Mexico vs Poland, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 26: Argentina vs Mexico, Lusail Stadium (6:30 PM IST); Poland vs Saudi Arabia, Education Stadium (3:30 PM IST) December 1: Poland vs Argentina, Aboud Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 30: Saudi Arabia vs Mexico, Lusail Stadium (9:30 PM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group D
November 22: France vs Australia/Peru/UAE, Al Janoub Stadium (6:30 PM IST); Denmark vs Tunisia at Education City Stadium (3:30 PM IST) November 27: France vs Denmark, Stadium 974 (12:30 AM IST) November 26: Tunisia vs Australia/UAE/Peru, Al Janoub Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 30: Tunisia vs France, Education City Stadium (6:30 PM IST); Australia/UAE/Peru vs Denmark, Al Janoub Stadium (3:30 PM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group E
November 23: Spain vs New Zealand/Costa Rica, Al Thumama Stadium (3:30 PM IST); Germany vs Japan, Khalifa International Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 27: Spain vs Germany, Al Bayt Stadium (6:30 PM IST) November 28: Japan vs Costa Rica/New Zealand, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (12:30 AM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group E (part 2)
December 1: Japan vs Spain at Khalifa International Stadium 3:30 PM IST; Costa Rica/New Zealand vs Germany, Al Bayt Stadium (9:30 PM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group F
November 23: Belgium vs Canada, Ahmad Stadium (6:30 PM IST) November 24: Morocco vs Croatia, Al Bayt Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 27: Belgium vs Morocco, Al Thumama Stadium (3:30 PM IST); Croatia vs Canada, Khalifa International Stadium (9:30 PM IST) December 1: Croatia vs Belgium, Ahmad Stadium (6:30 PM IST) December 2: Canada vs Morocco, Al Thumama Stadium (12:30 AM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group G
November 25: Brazil vs Serbia, Lusail Iconic Stadium (12:30 AM IST) November 24: Switzerland vs Cameroon, Al Janoub Stadium (9:30 PM IST) November 28: Brazil vs Switzerland, Stadium 974 (6:30 PM IST); Cameroon vs Serbia, Al Janoub Stadium (3:30 PM IST) December 3: Cameroon vs Brazil, Lusail Iconic Stadium (12:30 AM IST) December 2: Serbia vs Switzerland, Stadium 974 (9:30 PM IST)
Schedule for teams in Group H
November 24: Portugal vs Ghana, Stadium 974 (6:30 PM IST); Uruguay vs South Korea, Education Stadium (3:30 PM IST) November 29: Portugal vs Uruguay, Lusail Stadium (00:30 AM IST) November 28: South Korea vs Ghana, Education City Stadium (9:30 PM IST) December 2: South Korea vs Portugal, Education City Stadium (6:30 PM IST) December 2: Ghana vs Uruguay, Al Janoub Stadium (3:30 PM IST)
Messi to face Lewandowski; Spain to square off against Germany
Group C will pit the Argentine legend Lionel Messi against Robert Lewandowski-powered Poland. Overall, the 1986 winners have mustered six wins, two draws, and three losses versus Poland. Meanwhile, Group E will feature 2010 winner Spain taking on the 2014 champions Germany. The Germans enjoy a 2-1 record in wins over the Spaniards in the World Cup (including one draw).
Key dates for round of 16, QF, SF, and final
Post the group stage, the teams would advance to the round of 16 which will take place on December 3-6. The quarter-finals are slated to take place on December 9-10. The semi-finals will take place on December 13-14. Meanwhile, the third-place playoff will be held on December 17. The final is scheduled to take place on December 18.
