World Cup 2022 Groups: All the details for the group stages in Qatar, including teams, players to watch and squad updates.

The 2022 World Cup is split into eight groups, each consisting of four teams. These four teams play each other once (three games for each team in total), with three points awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The two teams with the most points after those games have been player progress to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Once teams have qualified for the World Cup from their respective regional qualifying fixtures, teams are seeded from one to four. Each group consists of a first seed, second seed, third seed and fourth seed.

To win a World Cup group, a team must record more points than the other three teams in that same group. They don't necessarily have to win every game, although that would guarantee winning the group.

If teams finish on the same amount of points, then goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) determines who goes through. Should this also be similar it goes to overall goals scored, then points in matches between tied teams, goals difference in match between tied teams, goals scored in matches between tied teams. In the unlikely scenario everything remains equal, it goes to fair play points, and finally the drawing of lots by FIFA officials.