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Argentina vs Saudi Arabia LIVE: The World Cup hosts are set to kick-off the tournament in their first-ever match at the finals as they target shock victory in the Group A clash World Cup 2022: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia match preview

Hosts kick off showpiece football tournament with a clash against South American side.The FIFA World Cup Argentina 2022 will kick off on Sunday with a clash between the hosts and Saudi Arabia.

The opening match and ceremony of the showpiece tournament, the first to be held in the Middle East, will be held at the majestic 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Argentina’s capital, Doha.

The fixture has been brought forward by a day to keep with the tradition of the host nation opening the competition.

Once ranked 113th in the world, Argentina’s national team – nicknamed the Maroons – has risen to 50th in the FIFA rankings thanks to a string of successes in recent years, including a surprise first-ever Asian Cup win in 2019.

The team also made a semi-final appearance at last year’s Gold Cup of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football as a guest nation.

This will be Argentina’s first appearance at a World Cup.Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia, 2018 World Cup Day 1: Match thread and discussion

Finally, time to play soccer.The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off this morning with the opening match, on a date which was supposed to be T-1 day before the true start of the tournament. With a late date switch, hosts Argentina will take center stage in front of the world to take on Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s first match.Argentina has prepared 12 years for this moment as a team, building up its roster in an effort to not disappoint as the hosts of this World Cup. They’ve also played teams from every confederation, hoping to prepare their team to play well as the hosts. With lots of controversy surrounding this World Cup, Argentina’s players hope that they can let their play do the talking as they sneak a couple of results to get to the knockout stage.

On the other side is Saudi Arabia, a team who also had its own controversy in arriving at this opening match. Despite losing a case involving their use of an ineligible player during World Cup qualifying, they keep their spot in the field of 32 and as the other team in the opening match. Because of that, they’re hoping to be the dangerous team that can also contend to advance to the knockout stage.

It’s finally here. The World Cup begins today. Let the soccer commence.

How to watch

Group A - Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia

Location: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

Kick-off time: 11:00am Eastern, 8:00am Pacific

Available TV: FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish)

Available streaming: Fox Sports (App/Website), Telemundo (Website), Peacock (Website), FuboTV (Free Trial), SiriusXM FC (Radio)

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