The 2022 FIFA World Cup draw took place in Doha on Friday and this year’s event in Qatar promises early drama after a series of fascinating group draws.
The USMNT will face England, Iran and possibly Scotland, Wales or Ukraine in Group B, while the hosts will face Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A.
Holders France meet Denmark again after their 2018 clash and could also be reunited with Peru or Australia and Tunisia in Group D, while Mexico face Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia in a hot Group C.
Group E sees the heavyweights team up with Spain and Germany, plus Japan and winners Costa Rica against New Zealand, while Group F features Canada and Croatia and Morocco.
In Group G, Brazil have Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon, while in Group H, Portugal are joined by Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
Qatar opens the World Cup against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
WM groups
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, Scotland/Ukraine or Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Australia/UAE or Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica or New Zealand, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Winner and Loser
After the World Cup groups have been drawn, we can look at the composition of the eight pools and assess who received the best and worst scenarios. Fascinating are Group B with USMNT and England, Argentina and Mexico in Group C, Spain and Germany in Group E and Canada in Group F with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Some winners and losers.
Winner: Netherlands
The Dutch will be happy with their draw, but hosts Qatar will also be grateful that Oranje may be their strongest opponent on paper. Anything could happen with Senegal and Ecuador, but Louis Van Gaal’s men certainly feel like favorites here.
Loser: Iran
Although the outcome of the playoffs between Scotland, Wales and Ukraine is not yet known, it is already feeling tough for the Iranians. This group won’t be short of a talking point at any of the Iran games, but they’ll need to go all out to have a chance of making it.
Winner: England
USMNT rivalry aside, the Three Lions will be satisfied with their group as Iran and UEFA play-off winners Scotland, Wales or Ukraine should not scare too much. The Scots and Welsh will have that extra motivation given the rivalry that could make the Americans their main opponents.
Loser: Tunisia
France, Denmark and then possibly a Peru, Australia or the United Arab Emirates are a difficult task for the Tunisians. Les Bleus is a rivalry of sorts, while Denmark have proven to be an extremely difficult team to beat. Depending on who joins this group, third place could be considered a success.
Winner: France
The defending champions won’t be intimidated by a draw against strong qualifier Denmark, whom he knows well from 2018. However, they also drew the Danes in 2002 when they were eliminated as the defending champions of 1998, so that’s something to consider. Tunisia are an intriguing pairing given the significant ties between the two countries, while the play-off winners could see Les Bleus against two of the three sides they faced in their Russia group in 2018. Will it be enough for them to become the first defending champion? escaped the group since Brazil won in 2002 and advanced in 2006.
Loser: Japan
Getting Spain and Germany when you add a playoff team is pretty brutal. On paper the Germans and Spaniards are expected to progress, but Samurai Blue have shown in the past that they are capable of creating an upset – they need another one here.
Winner: Brazil
Despite the improvement of Serbia and the solidity of Switzerland, the South Americans will hold their own against all opponents. On paper at least, this risks becoming brutal for Cameroon unless they can build quickly under Rigobert Song’s leadership.
Loser: Cameroon
Given the strength of Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, the Africans are arguably the favorites to finish last in their group. Africans must use the next few months wisely. Changing coaches in a World Cup year is never easy, but it has now and the Indomitable Lions will at least be motivated to play for such a legend.
Winner: USMNT
That’s a good draw for the USA. They will certainly not reach the round of 16, but they should be able to judge their chances well. They’re going to want Scotland, but it’s probably going to be Wales or Ukraine and it could really go either way. England should beat the USA but the Americans have a knack for big results in the group stage. They made the best draw of any Concacaf team by far. Mexico will face big boys Argentina and an impressive team from Poland. Canada have two 2018 semi-finalists in Belgium and Croatia in their group and if Costa Rica makes it they only have Spain and Germany to worry about – Roger Gonzalez