All about the FIFA World Cup: a thrilling festival of football
Get ready for the spectacular sporting event with our fact-packed tournament guide. On 20 November, the FIFA World Cup tournament kicks off in Qatar. Around five billion football fans around the world are expected to watch live on TV as the best men’s teams battle it out for football’s ultimate prize.
Who are some of the star players to watch?From Son Hueng-min to Gareth Bale, there will be more top talent on show than ever in this tournament. It’s the first time teams can take a squad of 26 players, rather than the usual 23. Sadly, it may be the last World Cup for two of the greatest players in the game: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s a chance for some fresh talent to shine, however: look out for younger players such as England’s Jude Bellingham, Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Pedri for Spain.
Which teams will be at the World Cup?Thirty-two teams will compete for the trophy (奖杯). For the first time ever, Qatar will take part in the tournament. As hosts, they qualified automatically but the other 31 teams had to win a number of qualifying matches. The next World Cup in 2026 will be even bigger — forty-eight teams will be in competition.
Which teams are the favourites to win?France is the current champion and one of the favourites to win again with a star-studded squad featuring strikers Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema. Other European teams hoping to do well include England, Germany, Portugal and Spain. Argentina, Brazil and Senegal are some of the strongest nations outside Europe. Wales is playing in its first World Cup since 1958, but Scotland and Northern Ireland did not qualify.
How does the tournament work?The 32 teams have been drawn into eight groups of four. The teams in each group play each other once in a mini-league, and the top two from each group progress to the knockout stage. Teams must win that game, then a quarter-final and a semi-final to reach the final on 18 December. As well as the World Cup trophy for the winning team, there are individual trophies for the best player (Golden Ball) and top scorer (Golden Boot). England’s Captain Harry Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018.
What conditions will players face in this World Cup?Since the first men’s World Cup in 1930, the tournament has been played in June and July. However, Qatar is so hot in the summer that the 2022 competition was moved to November and December, when it’s cooler. It’s still warm, though, and each of the eight stadiums has air-conditioning. It will take the equivalent of 100 bathtubs of water a day just to keep the pitches in the stadiums green.
As well as a brand-new city and airport, seven spectacular new stadiums were built for this World Cup. Look out for the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, which glows different colours at night; the Al Janoub Stadium, which is designed to look like the sails of a traditional Qatari boat; and a stadium built from 974 recycled shipping containers.
21. Who is likely not to attend the next World Cup in 2026?
A.Lionel Messi | B.Gareth Bale | C.Son Hueng-min | D.Karim Benzema |
22. Which of the following is correct according to the passage?
A.Senegal is one of the strongest nations outside Europe. |
B.Qatar had to win a number of qualifying matches to be qualified. |
C.Golden Boot will be awarded to the best player. |
D.48 teams are in Qatar World Cup competition. |
23. What are the facilities in this World Cup?
A.A traditional Qatari boat for visitors | B.A brand-new airport |
C.100 bathtubs for players | D.Eight stadiums without air-conditioning |