World Cup standings, bracket 2022: Team rankings, favorites, FIFA World Cup group table, schedule, tiebreakers

The World Cup in Qatar officially kicked off on Sunday, Nov. 20 and it concludes on Saturday, Dec. 10. Click here for the full daily match schedule and make sure to print out your wall chart. For the first time in the history of the event, the games will take place during the winter months, interrupting the club soccer season schedule. It is the last time we will see this format with 32 teams in the field before it expands to 48 in time for 2026 when the United States, Mexico and Canada host.

Speaking of the United States, the Americans made their long-awaited return to the world’s biggest stage with a draw against Wales after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This is the 11th World Cup appearance for a United States team that has reached the World Cup in eight out of the past nine editions. Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT finished third out of eight teams in Concacaf’s qualifying group, behind Mexico and Canada. 

And while we have you here, make sure to sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.

Listen below and follow In Soccer We Trust: A CBS Sports Soccer Podcast where three times a week your three favorite former USMNT players cover everything you could possibly want to know about the beautiful game in the United States.  

The Canadians are making their second appearance in the World Cup and the first since 1986 when the tournament was held in Mexico. They started with a tough luck loss to Belgium in a group that includes Morocco and 2018 runners-up Croatia. Mexico, meanwhile, drew Poland in a tricky group where Saudi Arabia has already stunned the Argentina.

As far as the contenders go, when the tournament began, no team has shorter odds (courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook) to win it all than Brazil at +360 as Tite searches for the sixth star above the Seleção crest. Not far behind Brazil in the futures are Argentina (+500), France (+700), Spain (+750), England (+850) and Germany (+1100).

Keep up to date with the schedule, standings and scores right here. Before we dive into the standings, it’s worth pointing out how the tiebreaker works. There are seven procedures before we get to the point where we need to draw lots to determine which team(s) will advance. Last men’s World Cup, Japan edged out Senegal to reach the knockout stage due to FIFA fair play points. It’s not exactly crazy to imagine history repeating itself in Qatar.

World Cup: Group stage tiebreaker procedure

1. Total points
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored
4. Points scored in matches between tied teams
5. Goal difference in matches between tied teams
6. Goals scored in matches between tied teams
7. Fair play points in group stage 
   · Yellow card: -1 point
   · Indirect red (second yellow): -3 points
   · Direct red: -4 points
   · Yellow card and direct red: -5 points
8. Drawing of lots

You can watch all of the World Cup live — in English and in Spanish — on fuboTV (Try for free). 

World Cup group stage standings, table

Full World Cup bracket

Click here to enlarge and print the blank 2022 World Cup wall chart.

Knockout stage schedule

(All times U.S./Eastern)

Round of 16

Saturday, Dec. 3

Group A winners vs. Group B runners-up, 10 a.m.
Group C winners vs. Group D runners-up, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4
Group D winners vs. Group C runners-up, 10 a.m.
Group B winners vs. Group A runners-up, 2 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 5
Group E winners vs. Group F runners-up, 10 a.m.
Group G winners vs. Group H runners-up, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 6
Group F winners vs. Group E runners-up, 10 a.m.
Group H winners vs. Group G runners-up, 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, Dec. 9
Quarterfinal 1, 10 a.m.
Quarterfinal 2, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10
Quarterfinal 3, 10 a.m.
Quarterfinal 4, 2 p.m.

Semifinals

Tuesday, Dec. 13
Semifinal 1, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14
Semifinal 2, 2 p.m.

Third-place match

Saturday, Dec. 17
Semifinal 1 loser vs. Semifinal 2 loser, 10 a.m.

Final

Sunday, Dec. 18
Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner, 10 a.m.