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FIFA World Cup 2022: Know some interesting facts about World’s biggest clash

India’s current world ranking is 106 and it is a distant dream for India to be included in the top 48 teams.

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FIFA World Cup 2022: Know some interesting facts about World's biggest clash

32 teams have reached Qatar for the Football World Cup (FIFA World Cup 2022) starting from 20 November. Football fans around the world will keep cheering for their champion team for 29 days from 20th November to 18th December.

But before the madness begins, let’s take a look at some of the interesting facts about the FIFA that can keep you interested throughout this World Cup:

1. This is the first time that an Arab country have been given the opportunity to organize the Football World Cup. In 2002, for the first time since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay (the America) in 1930, the tournament traveled to Asia (the Korea and Japan). For the second time in 2022, for the 22nd FIFA World Cup, it is being hosted by an Asian country.

2. This will be the last time when 32 teams of the world will participate in the World Cup. Because the World Cup is to be held in America, Mexico and Canada in 2026, the number of teams will increase from 32 to 48. Did you know that only 13 teams participated in the 1930 World Cup played in Uruguay. In the finals of the first World Cup, the host Uruguay won its first title by defeating Argentina by 4-2.

3. This time 5 Asian teams are part of the big tournament. Qatar has got a place in Group-A, Iran in Group-B, Saudi Arabia in Group-C, Japan in Group-E and Korea in Group-H. Iran first participated as an Asian team in 1978. After this, Iran also participated in the FIFA World Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

China made it all the way to the group stage in the 2002 World Cup. Till now 13 teams including Australia from Australasia Group have participated in the World Cup. In the 2002 World Cup, the Korean team was at number four, which has been the best performance of any Asian country so far.

4. India also got a chance to play the 1950 World Cup once. But India could not participate in this World Cup. Many reasons have led up to this big decision, from financial constraints to stubbornness to play barefoot to India being ban by FIFA, a lot needs to solve between Team India before they get to play in the World Cup. Moreover, India’s current world ranking is 106 and it is a distant dream for India to be included in the top 48 teams.

5. Brazil, which is a five-time champion and has been in the top 3 teams for 9 times out of 21, and is being seen by many experts around the world as champions this time too. Brazil also has the most dominance in speculative markets like William Hill and Ladbroke. This time in the betting market, apart from Brazil, Argentina, France, England and Spain are also considered strong contenders for the title.

6. This could possibly be the last World Cup for not only Lionel Messi of Argentina (age 35 years, 165 matches, 91 goals), Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (age 37 years, 191 matches, 117 goals), Neymar of Brazil (age 30 years, 121 matches, 75 goals) but also Luis of Uruguay Suarez (age 35 years, 134 matches, 68 goals), Edinson Cavani (age 35 years, 133 matches, 58 goals), Luka Mordic of Croatia (age 37 years, 155 matches, 23 goals), Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (age 36 years, 114 matches) and Portugal’s midfielder Pepe (age 39 years, 128 matches, 7 goals).

7. More than 200 countries play football in the world. But till now only 8 teams and 6 times the host teams have won the World Cup title. Brazil has won the title maximum 5 times, Germany and Italy 4-4 times, Argentina, France and Uruguay 2-2 times, while England and Spain have won this title 1-1 times.

8. The top 10 teams in the world according to the FIFA rankings are: Brazil, Belgium, Argentina, France, England, Italy, Spain, Holland, Portugal and Denmark.



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Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

  • Maintaining a disciplined line and length
  • Ability to generate movement off the pitch
  • Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.

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At 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi eyes India debut, could surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may soon make his India debut after a standout IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals.

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Rising cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is reportedly on the verge of earning his first senior India call-up following an impressive run in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old batter has been shortlisted for the upcoming India tour of Ireland, according to multiple reports.

The young Rajasthan Royals player has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about talents this season, delivering impactful performances that have caught the attention of selectors.

Strong performances boost selection chances

Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting in IPL 2026 has played a key role in pushing his case for national selection. Representing Rajasthan Royals, the teenager has consistently taken on top bowlers with confidence, showcasing both aggressive stroke play and maturity beyond his age.

Reports suggest he is among several young players being monitored for India’s Ireland tour, with selectors looking to test emerging talent in a relatively shorter series.

Could become youngest India debutant

If selected and given an opportunity, Sooryavanshi could script history by becoming one of the youngest players to represent India at the international level. At just 15, he would surpass long-standing age records set by former greats like Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16.

The potential milestone has added further excitement around the youngster, whose rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket has been closely followed by fans and experts alike.

Future tours also on radar

Apart from the Ireland series, reports indicate that Sooryavanshi could also be considered for other upcoming assignments later in 2026, including a possible tour of Zimbabwe. His consistent performances and fearless approach have made him a strong contender for continued inclusion in India’s plans.

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Guwahati weather poses threat to RR vs MI blockbuster as rain delays toss

The IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians faces a delay as the Guwahati weather brings persistent rain to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

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Guwahati weather

The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) has hit a weather hurdle. Scheduled to take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the toss for Match 13 has been officially delayed due to persistent rain in the city.

Rain intensifies at Barsapara Stadium

The Guwahati weather has taken a turn for the worse as heavy drizzle forced the groundstaff to keep the pitch and square under covers. While the rain had momentarily eased, allowing for a brief inspection, it returned shortly after, frustrating both fans and players. According to media reports, the probability of rain during match hours has surged to nearly 50%, a significant increase from earlier forecasts.

Cut-off time and over reductions

As the clock ticks, the pressure on the match officials increases. Overs were scheduled to start being reduced from 8:40 PM IST. For those hoping for at least a shortened game, the cut-off time for a minimum five-over-a-side contest has been established at 10:56 PM IST. The city remains under a weather alert, with cloud cover expected to be a major factor throughout the evening.

High-stakes encounter on hold

Rajasthan Royals enter this game with a perfect record, having won their first two matches of the season. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are looking to bounce back after a mixed start. A key highlight of this match is the potential battle between 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the experienced Jasprit Bumrah.

Historically, the two teams share a fierce rivalry, with Mumbai holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to Rajasthan’s 14 in their 31 previous meetings.

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