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World Cup 2022 Draw Takes Place In Doha
The World Cup 2022 draw takes place in Doha
The draw for the Qatar Soccer World Cup that takes place in November and December has been completed and has thrown up a number of tasty match-ups already.
European heavyweights Spain and Germany have been drawn together in Group E which looks to be the tie of the group stage, as well as Ghana V Uruguay. This is a repeat of a controversial quarter-final from 2010 which saw Luis Suarez handle the ball on the goal line right at the end of extra time stopping a winning goal for the Africans, with them missing the resulting penalty after Suarez had been sent off. The Uruguayans then qualified via a penalty shoot-out.
England has been drawn in group B alongside the USA and a possible all British clash with Scotland or Wales if either qualifies from their playoffs which take place in June. Iran makes up the numbers.
Hosts Qatar are alongside the Netherlands and Senegal as well as Ecuador in Group A and 2 of the world’s best players Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski face each other for Argentina and Poland respectively in Group C and will also face Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
Holders France face fellow Europeans Denmark alongside Tunisia and one of UAE/Australia/Peru in Group D and 2 of the top 3 teams from the last World Cup Croatia, who lost to France in the final. Belgium finished the third face-off in Group F with Canada and Morocco making up the numbers.
Group G sees record winners Brazil, the only country to have qualified for every World Cup, face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. Whilst the 8th and final group, Group H, sees Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face South Korea as well as Uruguay and Ghana.
There are still 3 playoffs to take place in June to determine the final 3 teams as the Scotland V Ukraine game was postponed due to Russia invading Ukraine and some pandemic postponements on some continents.
The tournament kicks off on November 21st with Netherlands V Senegal set to be the first match to take place.
Notable absentees from the tournament include Italy, Sweden, Egypt, Norway, Nigeria, Algeria, Colombia and Chile, all of whom failed to qualify from their respective groups.
The World Cup 2022 is likely to be controversial for a number of reasons with Qatar winning the right to host despite a poor human rights record and requesting the tournament be moved from its usual summer months due to the excessive heat. This is only after their bid had been declared the winner.
The full draw is as follows:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, 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, South Korea
The dates for the tournament are as follows:
Group Stage: Monday, November 21st to Friday, December 2nd
Last 16: Saturday, December 3rd to Tuesday 6th December
Quarter-Finals: Friday 9th December & Saturday 10th December
Semi-Finals: Tuesday 13th December & Wednesday 14th December
Third/Fourth Play-Off: Saturday 17th December
World Cup Final: Sunday 18th December
