Image copyright: Getty Images
The Arab countries take centre stage on the opening two days of the
2022 World Cup as hosts Qatar get the ball rolling on Sunday, November 20, with Iran in action the following afternoon.
Qatar - the first Arab nation to stage the global showpiece - open proceedings against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
The Maroon will be looking to get off to a strong start in Group A as they go in search of a sixth straight win following an impressive build-up to the tournament.
In fact, Felix Sanchez's side are unbeaten in their last six matches since losing 2-0 to fellow World Cup participants Canada on September 23.
La Tri failed to qualify for the 2018 edition in Russia and they will attempt to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2006, having exited at the group stages in their only other two appearances in 2002 and 2014.
The South Americans have lost just once in 2022 and are unbeaten in seven games since going down 3-1 to Paraguay in the qualifiers.
Iran kick off Monday's fixtures against 2018 semi-finalists England at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Team Melli will be aiming to build on their best-ever performance at the World Cup four years ago when they collected four points from their three group games to finish 18th after recording one win, one draw and one loss.
Since qualifying for the tournament, Carlos Queiroz's side beat Uruguay 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Senegal as part of their preparations for Qatar 2022.
The Three Lions have won just two of their eight games this year and went through their UEFA Nations League campaign winless to be relegated from the top bracket.
However, Gareth Southgate's side are one of the bookies' favourites to lift the coveted trophy and star striker Harry Kane insists they're not afraid to declare their intentions.
"We have to believe we can win it," Kane told Sky Sports. "I look back at England 10, 15 years ago and it was almost [like] we were scared to say we wanted to win it. I think one of the big shifts that we've made over the last four or five years with Gareth is not being afraid to say that.
"Look, we're going to this tournament to win it because we believe we can. It'd be wrong to think otherwise. What's the point of going to a World Cup and not believing that you can bring the trophy home?
"It's going to be tough and we're going to have to work extremely hard, have a little bit of luck and have a lot of things go our way to achieve that. But I think it's important not to be afraid to say that that's what we're going there to do."
Image copyright: Getty Images
Senegal will have their tails up when they face the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
The Lions of Teranga head to the Arabian Peninsula as continental champions after winning their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year.
Aliou Cisse's side are unbeaten in their last four matches since eliminating Egypt in the playoffs, with their most recent result a 1-1 draw against Iran on September 27.
The Oranje are looking to make up for the disappointment of missing the 2018 edition and they head to Qatar on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run since losing 2-1 to the Czech Republic in the last 16 at Euro 2020 17 months ago.
Louis van Gaal's side enjoyed a successful UEFA Nations League campaign, qualifying for the semi-finals after winning five of their six group games.
Wales will feature at the World Cup for the first time in 64 years when they take on the United States at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The Dragons' one and only appearance on the world's biggest stage came in 1958 when they reached the quarter-finals and Rob Page's side intend to make a splash in Qatar.
After their stunning debut at Euro 2016, Page led the Welsh to the last 16 at the 2020 edition, and winger Dan James insists they're not just looking to make up the numbers at the World Cup.
"We fully deserve to be there. We qualified," James told Sky Sports. "We go into every game believing that we can get the best result out of it. No pressure for us. We've got to go out and enjoy it.
"It being in November is very strange. But for us, it's normal because it's our first time going. It's going to be absolutely brilliant."
The Stars and Stripes broke a sequence of seven consecutive World Cup appearances when they failed to qualify for Russia 2018, having reached the last 16 at both the 2010 and 2014 editions.
Gregg Berhalter's side have lost just one of their last six matches since qualifying for Qatar 2022, although they are winless in their three most recent friendlies.
World Cup opening fixtures:
Sunday, November 20
18h00: Qatar v Ecuador
Monday, November 21
15h00: England v Iran
18h00: Senegal v Netherlands
21h00: United States v Wales
Bet on the World Cup in Qatar
Kick off your sports betting journey with our exciting Sports Welcome Offer where you’ll get up to R1,000 as a Free Bet when you make your first deposit.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow
Betway on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram and
YouTube. Start playing on the go and download the
Betway App.