While it might feel like just a moment ago that the final whistle blew on Euro 2020, the attention of international football has now firmly refocused on the the 2022 World Cup, with many qualifiers entering into their final round this week.
Qualification looks to be a sure thing for Gareth Southgate's men, with the Three Lions sitting comfortably at the top of their group. They remain undefeated and three points clear, with a healthy +26 goal difference.
Reigning champions France will be looking to fight off the other 31 teams heading to Qatar, after a disappointing outing at the Euros.
The latest edition of the tournament is set to be one like no other, with a huge change to the scheduling that is set to have major implications for both the tournament itself and European domestic leagues.
It is also due to be only the second tournament to take place entirely in Asia, after South Korea in 2002.
The tournament is also set to be the final one to feature 32 teams.
That number is set to increase to 48 heading in to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Here's everything we know about next year's showpiece event.
When is World Cup 2022 and where are the games being played?
The next World Cup will be taking place at the end of 2022, from November 21 to December 18, making it the first rendition of the tournament not to be held in either May, June or July.
The reason for the scheduling alteration is because the tournament is to be held in Qatar, where the intense summer heat would be too much for players and fans.
The tournament is set to take place over eight stadiums in five cities.
Al-Rayyan has three venues while Doha, the nation's capital, has two. Lusail, Al Khor, and Al Wakrah each have one.
Shortly after, in the summer of 2023, the women's World Cup is set to take place in Australia and New Zealand.
While the regular scheduling of a four-year break between tournaments remains in place, the familiar two year spacing between the Euros and the World cup has been forcibly reduced in this cycle due to Euros being pushed back a year due to coronavirus.
It is understood that the Euros will return to their regular scheduling from now on, with the next tournament scheduled for 2024.
Which countries have qualified?
Europe will be the best represented confederation at the tournament, with all 10 of its group winners heading to Qatar.
The 10 group runners-up will be joined by the two best group winners from the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League overall rankings that have neither qualified directly for the World Cup as European Qualifiers group winners, nor entered the play-offs already as European Qualifiers group runners-up.
These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for one-off semi-finals and a final. The three path winners qualify for the World Cup.
There are four guaranteed places from South America and three from Northern America, with a team from each going head to head to determine who wins a final slot.
Four teams from Asia and five from Africa will also make it to the tournament.
A play-off between the top team from Oceania and the fifth-best from Asia will also take place, with the winner booking a spot in Qatar.
Qualifiers so far: Qatar (as hosts), Germany, Denmark, Brazil, Belgium, France, Croatia, Spain and Serbia.
