2022 FIFA World Cup group stages revealed as countdown to Qatar continues
Sports Desk, Apr 1 (EFE).- The 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, broadcast around the world from Qatar, revealed the group stage standings on Friday.
Qatar will kick-off proceedings against Ecuador on 21 November when the competition gets underway this winter for the first time in its history, a decision taken to avoid the summer heat in the Arab nation. Also joining Group A was Senegal and the Netherlands, setting up an encounter between Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk.
England will begin their World Cup campaign in Group B against the Islamic Republic of Iran with future fixtures against the USA and the yet-to-be-decided winner of the European play-off — either Scotland, Wales or Ukraine.
Lionel Messi’s fifth and likely final bid for a World Cup trophy will begin in Group C when Argentina take on Saudi Arabia, while the South Americans will later come up against Mexico and Poland.
In Group D, France will begin their title defense against either Peru, the United Arab Emirates or Australia. Denmark and Tunisia have secured a place in the same group.
Spain’s national team, who outperformed expectations in the 2020 Euros, were drawn against Germany, Japan and either New Zealand or Costa Rica in Group E while Belgium are set for duels against Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group F.
Brazil will face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in their bid to escape from Group G while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are set to take on Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
The full draw is as follows:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, the Netherlands.
Group B: England, the Islamic Republic of Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Peru/United Arab Emirates/Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, New Zealand/Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea. EFE
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