The FIFA World Cup euphoria has been steadily rising (if it ever goes on recess) and has finally reached fever pitch with the opening ceremony and match set for Sunday 20 November at the Al-Bayt Stadium, in Qatar. Bare with your friends and significant other if that’s all they want to talk about for the next month or so!If you are the kind of fan who can tell who scored for France in Russia in their 4-2 win against Croatia in the final, this is where you stop reading! Yes, that’s how low we have set the bar for this article, after all it is World Cup for, respectfully, newbies.Can the Mane-less Teranga Lions reach the 2022 World Cup knockout stage?Now, on to my target audience. Don’t worry, you just have to endure talk of the World Cup for 29 days, and a few more days as people get over their losses or celebrate their win (s). I will not bore you with details like who scored the winning goal for Argentina when they last lifted the Cup in 1986 and who provided the assist, we keep it simple.So, action begins on Sunday 20 and runs until 18 December, Christmas will save you from the otherwise prolonged post-World Cup excitement, ain’t you lucky! Wondering why you haven’t witnessed another of these happening around Christmas, winter if you may, stay with me.With Qatar hosting the World Cup, temperatures in June and July, when the extravaganza usually occurs average around 37°C and that would have been some cruel conditions for the players, health and safety first, right?On to some history. The inaugural competition was held in Uruguay in 1930, won by the hosts. Italy won the next two editions in the competition that takes place every four years, at home and in France. Because of World War II, the WC was not held for another 12 years, until 1950. As a result, Italy were the holders for a record 16 years, from 1934 to 1950.##NAJAVA_MECA_6827623##In 1982, the event was expanded to 24 teams, from16. Years later, 32 nations competed for the title at the 1998 World Cup in France. That was followed by another expansion in January 2017 when it was confirmed the 2026 edition will include 48 competing countries.In its 22nd edition, it is the first World Cup to be held in the Arab world, second in Asia after the 2002 South Korea/Japan tournament. It also marks the last edition of the showpiece that will feature 32 teams.Without getting into the boring details of the lengthy, often-dramatic qualification process, it is important to note that the 32 teams are drawn from UEFA (Europe), CONMEBOL (Central America), CONCACAF (South America), CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia) and OFC (Oceania).From Ricky Martin and Shakira to Jennifer Lopez – World Cup anthems and songsTeams are pooled in eight groups of four, playing in a round-robin format. The top two proceed to the round of 16, the knock-out stage. At this point the loser of whatever pairing is going home, but it is not as bad as it sounds, they made it to the best 16 in the world after all!The last edition was held in 2018 in Vladmir Putin’s backyard, Russia. France beat Croatia in the final, don’t mind about the scorers. It was a regulation-time victory, not extra time, no penalties.Brazil is the most successful team having won the five titles followed by Italy and Germany who have won four titles each. West Germany has three, Argentina, France and Uruguay two while England, Germany and Spain have one title each.One last thing, all the 32 teams have nicknames. The fanatics will try to confuse you with these, especially Three Lions’ fans, but I got you, here’s a list of all these fancy names.2022 World Cup: Pioneering sextet whistle blowing in QatarNicknames of the World Cup Teams1. Belgium – Die Roten Teufel (The Red Devils).2. Croatia – Kockasti (The Chequered Ones)3. Denmark – Da Rod-Hvide (The Red and Whites)4. England – Three Lions5. France – Les Blues6. Germany – Nationalelf (The National Eleven)7. Netherlands – Oranje (after the House of Orange-Nassau and their distinctive orange jerseys)8. Poland – Biało-czerwoni (White and Reds)9. Portugal – Os Navegadores (The Navigators)10. Serbia – Orlovi (The Eagles)11. Spain – La Furia Roja (The Red One)12. Switzerland – Rossocrociati (The Red Cross)13. Wales – The Dragons14. Australia – Socceroos (soccer and kangaroos)15. Iran – Team Melli ( The National Team)16. Japan – Samurai Blue17. Qatar – The Maroon18. Saudi Arabia – Al Akhdar (The Greens)19.South Korea – Taegeuk Warriors20. Cameroon – Les Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions)21. Ghana – Black Stars22. Morocco – The Atlas Lions23. Senegal – Lions of Teranga24. Tunisia – Eagles of Carthage25. Canada – The Reds26. Costa Rica – Los Ticos27. Mexico – El Tri (The Tricolour)28. Argentina – La Albiceleste (White and sky blue)29. Brazil – The Selecao’ (The selected players)30. Ecuador – La Tri (Three Colours)31. Uruguay – La Celeste (Sky Blue)32. USA – Star & Stripes
