The draw for the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is completed and 32 teams are placed in eight groups for this year’s tournament in Qatar. As the Host nation, Qatar will kick-start the tournament with a game against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on 21.11.2022. Kick-off times and venues for the remaining group-stage matches are yet to be decided.
Team USA has been drawn against England, Iran, and the winners of the play-off between Wales and Scotland or Ukraine in Group B at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side knows they will kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before facing the United States in their second game on November 25, but their third group-stage opponents are yet to be determined. England will face the winners of the outstanding European qualifying play-off – either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine – on November 29.
World champions France – who could meet England in the quarter-finals should both sides win their group – begin the defence of their crown against the winners of Intercontinental play-off 1 (United Arab Emirates, Australia or Peru) in Group D, which also features Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark and Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Spain and Germany were paired against each other in Group E alongside Japan and one of Costa Rica and New Zealand – who will compete in the second Intercontinental play-off later this year.
Four-time winners Brazil have been grouped with Switzerland and Serbia, both of whom who they faced at the same stage in 2018, and Cameroon. The Selecao’s rivals Argentina were matched with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
Louis van Gaal, who has spoken out against the decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar, will face the hosts with his Netherlands side in Group A, which also features Ecuador and Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will face Uruguay, Canada and South Korea, while Belgium – ranked second in the world – will take on Ghana, Morocco and Croatia.
2022 World Cup draw in full
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, European play-off*
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Intercontinental play-off 1**, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Intercontinental play-off 2***, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, South Korea
