The much awaited FIFA World Cup is nearly here, as the group stage draw and fixtures have been announced. The tournament kicks off on 21 November with a match between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium. While three spots still remain, 8 nations are yet to decide their fate.
Here are the groups of Qatar 2022
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales / Scotland / Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Peru / Australia / UAE, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica / New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea
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5 things to look out for after the 2022 World Cup draw
Uruguay vs Ghana
Group H sees Uruguay take on Ghana which is set to be the grudge match of the group stage. Ghana will seek to take revenge on the South Americans after the events of the 2010 world cup quarter-final clash between the two nations. Luis Suarez’s deliberate handball broke hearts and shattered dreams across the world in 2010, but now Ghana want to get it back in blood.
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England
England will play the opening day of the World Cup for the first time since 1966, the very year they won their last major trophy. The Three Lions almost broke the unfortunate streak by reaching the Euro 2020 final, but were beaten by Italy on penalties. Italy having failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, England can still have the last laugh by winning the tournament. England are in Group B alongside USA, Iran and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, as we could potentially see a UK derby.
1966 – @England will play on the opening day of a @FIFAWorldCup tournament for the first time since 1966. Harbinger. pic.twitter.com/b1zPddF4r8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 1, 2022
Messi vs Lewandowski
Arguably the two best players in the world face off in Group C as Argentina face Poland. This could very well be the final World Cup involving Argentina’s Lionel Messi, 34, and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, 33. The players to win the past three FIFA Best Men’s Player awards between them go head-to-head on 30 November in the final group game.
Messi vs. Lewandowski at the World Cup ???? pic.twitter.com/o1w1sv33XQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 1, 2022
Denmark and Christian Eriksen
After a Euro filled with emotions Denmark are back and so is a fully fit Christian Eriksen. The Dane is Back captaining his nation. Eriksen now has two goals in his first two games back with the Danish national team. He is back in the goals after a spectacular curled effort to score the third goal in Denmark’s 3-0 win over Serbia. Denmark were great in the Euros and are the dark horses this World Cup.
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Germany vs Spain
The game of the group stage will be Spain v Germany in the second round of Group E games on 27 November. The giants will face off in a mouth watering encounter after a disappointing 2018 World Cup for both sides. The 2010 and 2014 champions look rejuvenated under new management and exciting talents.
With the story lines set the 2022 Qatar World Cup looks to be an iconic one. What do you think? let us know in the comments below.