International football's greatest event, the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup will kick off in Qatar on 21st November 2022. The official draw of the tournament took place on Friday, 1st April 2022 in Doha. 29 qualified nations and three yet to qualify teams got to know their faith in a unique tournament ever.
Arguably, there is no specific so-called 'group of death' this time out but most of the groups are filled with some tantalizing ties. There are some hotly contested rematches of the previous edition in 2018 and also a faceoff that sparked controversy in world cup history.
Group A
1) Qatar
2) Ecuador
3) Senegal
4) Netherlands
Hosts and Asian champions Qatar are drawn into a difficult group carrying Ecuador, AFCON winners Senegal and 2014 World Cup semifinalist Netherlands. That was the last time the Dutch featured in the mega event missing out on the 2018 edition. Louis Van Gaal's side is expected to top the group leaving the fight for second place a neck and neck affair.
Ecuador are making their fourth appearance in the world cup finals and had an impressive CONMEBOL qualifier with a young blend of players. They will wish to better their record of a round of 16 appearances in the 2006 World Cup. Senegal has the best winning percentage of any African team in the world cup and outdid Egypt in the qualifiers to reach this stage. They are featuring in the finals for the third time.
Group B
1) England
2) Iran
3) USA
4) European Playoff winner
England has been slotted in the same group as the United States, poised for an exciting encounter. The Three Lions entered the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and finished as runners up in the Euros last year. Gareth Southgate believes his squad have gained the mentality to finally hand them silverware. A more talented squad than before with the core of the team in Euros intact, England are one of the favorites again for this tournament.
Despite losing against Costa Rica in their last match of the CONCACAF qualifiers, USA made it to the main event. After missing out on the 2018 edition, seemingly the golden generation of US soccer are desperate to put away the earlier humiliation. Iran are no doubt minnows in the group but are capable of troubling big sides. To make matters interesting, either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine can join to create historical rivalries in this group.
Group C
1) Argentina
2) Saudi Arabia
3) Mexico
4) Poland
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina looked to be a different animal as they qualified for the finals without losing a game. The Copa America holders are now a team with less dependency on Lionel Messi. A solid team with brilliance in every position. La Albiceleste are eyeing this world cup to rekindle their past glory.
Group C is a tricky one with nations like Mexico and Poland vying for the second spot and also being a throne on the road for Argentina. Mexico have been at this stage 16 times while Poland are competing in their ninth world cup finals. Poland beat Sweden in the playoffs and wants to do more in Qatar than their group stage exit in 2018. The same goes for Saudi Arabia making their sixth appearance.
Group D
1) France
2) Intercontinental Playoff - 1
3) Denmark
4) Tunisia
Didier Deschamps won France's two world cup titles as a player in 1998 and then as a manager in 2018, the first person to do so. Once again under his guidance, Les Bleus are confident enough to retain the prestigious trophy. Key contributors to their 2018 success are still there with the squad. Setting aside the Euro disappointment, France are ready to roar again.
They will face Denmark in the group for consecutive world cups. The Danish have a feel-good factor in Christian Eriksen returning to the team from a cardiac arrest in the Euros and a strong mentality squad at their disposal. Tunisia are in their sixth world cup and faces another tough group like in 2018. Peru will fight the winner between UAE and Australia to have a chance of entering the finals.
Group E
1) Spain
2) Intercontinental Playoff - 2
3) Germany
4) Japan
The real heavyweight clash in European terms will see 2010 winners Spain locking horns with 2014 champions Germany in group E. Hansi Flick has given a new look to the German side since taking charge after the Euros making them dangerous again. Kai Havertz and co are also desperate to cancel out their howler in this contest last year.
On the other hand, Spain are jelling with Luis Enrique's tactics quite well and want to use it maximum in Qatar. Euros were improvising and a completely new outfit is ready to overturn their world cup disappointments after their glory in South Africa. Japan are always there to inflict a credible challenge and are featuring for the seventh consecutive time. Costa Rica will battle it out with Oceania champions New Zealand for the remaining place in the group.
Group F
1) Belgium
2) Canada
3) Morocco
4) Croatia
The four nations in this group could make it tougher for each other and it may come down to just a solitary point to separate the sides. Belgium have been the number one team in the world for some time now with no major trophies to show. Their golden generation is now reaching their prime and Red Devils want to fire the last shot in Qatar. They are joined by 2018 finalist Croatia. Zlatko Dalic's men are never less spirited to rewind their fairytale with recognisable performances.
But the nation that will be in the spotlight are Canada. Manager John Herdman guided the current crop of talented players in historical qualifiers to enter the finals after 36 years. They will be an opposition to watch out for. Morocco will also not shy to pose a threat after boasting a reliable squad to defy the odds. This is their sixth appearance in the world cup and for a consecutive time.
Group G
1) Brazil
2) Serbia
3) Switzerland
4) Cameroon
Like their arch-rivals, Brazil also reached the finals staying unbeaten in qualifiers. Coach Tite, his last tournament at the helm for the Selecao, is bringing a far more superior squad in terms of quality and depth to Qatar. A feared side in the tournament are top favourites to lift what could be their sixth world cup title. Brazil are placed with Serbia and Switzerland in the group stage similar to 2018. Both nations, however, are better sides than the previous outing.
The duo have changed a lot with two new faces in their dugouts. Switzerland tipped Italy while Serbia beat Portugal for the automatic qualification to the finals so they are pretty much unpredictable oppositions. Cameroon adds another layer of interest to this group with their strong attacking force.
Group H
1) Portugal
2) Ghana
3) Uruguay
4) South Korea
Group H is holding some major storylines even before a ball is kicked. Portugal and Uruguay are in the same group to make up a spicy game with a rematch of the 2018 round of 16 stages on the cards. Both of them had to do the hard way to reach the finals with Portugal defeating North Macedonia in the playoffs while Uruguay waiting at the very end to grab the final automatic qualification spot from South America.
Luis Suarez sparked a well-known controversy in the 2010 World Cup against Ghana in the quarterfinals by keeping out a late minute goal with his hands. Ghana missed the subsequent penalty through Asamoah Gyan and after 12 years have got the chance to redeem themselves. The African nation have now qualified for four straight finals. South Korea comes with their own set of surprises, famously beating Germany in the 2018 World Cup.
