The run-up to the 2022 World Cup may not have the same kind of pomp as usual. It’s a World Cup that has been shrouded in controversy, scandal, scrutiny and tragedy, and it’s taking place smack in the middle of the European club seasons, with players featuring for their clubs as little as six days prior to the start of the tournament. Nevertheless, it is a World Cup, and the biggest prize in international men’s soccer is on the line in Qatar.
It’s the last 32-team edition of the competition, with expansion to 48 due for the 2026 World Cup that will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.