The draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been made, and England fans will be feeling pretty buoyant about things.
Gareth Southgate’s men have been drawn in Group B against Iran, the United States and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, depending on who makes it through the UEFA play-offs.
The semi-final between the Scots and the Ukrainians has been postponed, for obvious reasons, although media outlets are reporting that the game will take place in June.
And the winner of that will take on Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium to see who takes their place in Group B.
The tournament is scheduled to start on November 21, with an opening ceremony followed by Qatar’s clash with Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Who Will England Play at World Cup 2022?
We now know that England will open their World Cup 2022 account on the opening day of the tournament, with Iran their opponents on November 21.
They will then take on the USA on November 25, before concluding their Group B action in the final round of fixtures against either Scotland, Ukraine or Wales on November 29.
Match | Date |
---|---|
England v Iran | Monday 21st November |
England v USA | Friday 25th November |
UEFA Playoff Winner v England | Tuesday 29th November |
What are the Groups at World Cup 2022?
The nature of World Cup draws ensures that the big guns are kept apart thanks to their seeding, while Qatar – as hosts – also found themselves in Pot 1 alongside England, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, Spain and Portugal.
The host nation may fancy their chances of sneaking out of Group A, which contains the Netherlands – their boss Louis van Gaal has been pretty outspoken in his opposition of the tournament in the Middle East, AFCON champions Senegal and Ecuador.
Group C pairs Argentina – possibly in Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance – with Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
In Group D, France will be pretty chuffed to take their place in a bracket that features Denmark, Tunisia and the winner of the tie between the AFC qualifier (Australia or UAE) and Peru.
Spain and Germany will have held their collective breath after being drawn against each other in Group E, however they will have expelled that air when they were met with Japan and the winner of the New Zealand vs Costa Rica play-off.
One of the bookmakers’ favourites, Belgium, will tackle Croatia, Morocco and Canada, who are making their first World Cup appearance in 40 years.
Brazil headline Group G against Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon, while in Group H the final World Cup of Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps, will see Portugal paired with Uruguay, South Korea and Ghana.
Group | Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
A | Qatar | Netherlands | Senegal | Ecuador |
B | England | United States | Iran | Wales/Scotland/Ukraine |
C | Argentina | Mexico | Poland | Saudi Arabia |
D | France | Denmark | Tunisia | UAE/Australia/Peru |
E | Spain | Germany | Japan | Costa Rica/New Zealand |
F | Belgium | Croatia | Morocco | Canada |
G | Brazil | Switzerland | Serbia | Cameroon |
H | Portugal | Uruguay | South Korea | Ghana |