THE WORLD Cup 2022 draw has concluded – and England have drawn USA, Iran AND possibly Wales or Scotland in Group B.
The final team in Group B is the winner of the European play-off – meaning either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine will join the Three Lions.
But European champions Italy will NOT be in Qatar, having surprisingly lost 1-0 in their qualifier against North Macedonia.
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, European play-off winner
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Intercontinental play-off winner, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Intercontinental play-off winner, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Morocco, Croatia, Canada
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
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France
Coach: Didier Deschamps
World Cup best: Winners 1998, 2018
Les Bleus turned a limited game-plan into maximum reward in Russia, defending with resolve, showing poise in the middle and then attacking with pace and conviction.
They are a better side with Karim Benzema to augment Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, though all of France wonders what version of Paul Pogba will show up.
The Euro 2020 flop will burn deep for them.
Tunisia – profile
Coach: Jalel Kadri
Star man: Wahbi Khazri
World Cup best: Group stage 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018
The Carthage Eagles put up a hell of a fight before Harry Kane’s knock-out blow in Volgograd in 2018 but since then faith in the team has taken a knock.
Qualifying in the play-off with Mali, due to a disastrous back pass own goal, came after managing just two shots on target in 180 minutes, summed up their limitations.
Skipper Khazri is far from a regular for St Etienne in France.
Spain – profile
Coach: Luis Enrique
Star man: Pedri
World Cup best: Winners 2010
Spain underwhelmed with their last 16 exit in Russia, after a group phase debacle in Brazil.
But reaching the Euro 2020 semis suggested Luis Enrique and his young team can think of returning to former glories.
La Furia Roja, though, still lack the natural finisher that many of their rivals boast and that could be their downfall once again.
Canada – profile
Coach: John Herdman
Star man: Alphonso Davies
World Cup best: 1986 group stage
Consett-born former Sunderland youth team coach Herdman has made a name for himself in New Zealand and now Canada and qualifying before the US and Mexico was a genuine feat.
Bayern Munich left-back Davies and Lille striker Jonathan David are among more than half the likely squad plying their trade in Europe.
Outsiders, of course, but making to Qatar was a massive success.
Brazil – profile
Coach: Tite
Star man: Neymar
World Cup best: Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Expectations on the “Selecao” are always mountainous but the past four World Cups have been a huge disappointment, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Neymar’s reputation hinges on him making a real impact on the game’s biggest stage.
Tite has built a functional side, rather than one in the grand Brazilian traditions.
But Qatar will be neutral territory and his side will be the local “favourites” once the Arabic nations are eliminated. That could prove a factor.
England’s fixtures booked in
England will start their Qatar World Cup campaign on the opening day of the tournament.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will face Iran on Monday, November 21.
England will then play USA on November 25, before what could be a tasty final game of Group B on November 29.
The 1966 World Cup winners will face either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.
Wales have already reached the final and will take on the winner of Scotland vs Ukraine – to be played in June, with England forced to wait over two months to find out their final group-stage opponent.
England’s path to glory
When asked about the World Cup draw earlier this week, England midfielder Jack Grealish said: “As a group we don’t really fear anyone”.
And to win the coveted prize, they most likely will have to beat the very best the World has to offer.
If England top the group, their most likely opponent in the last-16 is the runner-up from Group A, possibly Senegal.
After that, there are many variations that could come into play, but it could be France in the quarter-final.
If the Three Lions get past Les Blues, Argentina and Brazil could be lying in wait.
Top Seed in his group
Former Holland and AC Milan ace Clarence Seedorf looked dapper in his black suit and bow tie, with wife Sophia Makramati, at the Qatar World Cup draw.
And there were plenty of other big names of the sport turning up, including Brazil’s Kaka and Italian icon Andrea Pirlo.
England boss Gareth Southgate was of course in attendance, as he found out who his Three Lions will have to get past to reach the knockout stages.
Credit: AP The “Group of Death?”
At the moment, Group E and Group H look like the toughest groups to escape.
Spain vs Germany in Group E is certainly one to look forward to, Japan are not a side to underestimate, and New Zealand or Costa Rica could prove to be strong contenders.
Meanwhile, Portugal and Uruguay will likely battle it out for the top spots in Group H.
Korea Republic and Ghana will not be easy to beat.
Fan reaction
One USA fan took to Twitter to say: “As a US fan, if England don’t get all three wins it’d be very disappointing. Easiest group stage in a very long time. US will get second.”
Someone else added: “Doesn’t get much kinder, yet again.”
An optimistic England supporter said: “It’s coming home!”
“Hopefully we can go one step further”
When speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, England defender Kyle Walker said: “Over the last two years we’ve come to adapt to playing every three days.
“Going into the World Cup a week after the last Premier League game works in our favour.
“We’ll take each game as it goes, one step at a time and hopefully we can go one step further and win the World Cup.
“We know how to win and manage games now.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Raheem Sterling reacts
Third time lucky?
England and USA have been drawn together for third time at the World Cup, with England remaining winless in the previous two, losing in 1950 and drawing in 2010.
“I’m pleased with the group”
When speaking to BBC Sport, USA manager Gregg Berhalter said:
“We think it’s a good group. Every opponent in the World Cup is difficult.
“With England it’s an exciting match-up, Iran are a diverse opponent who did well in qualifying and then we’ll have to wait to see our third opponent.
“Overall I’m pleased with the group and excited to get started.
“We played Wales recently in a friendly, we know Scotland and then you’re pulling for Ukraine naturally because of what’s happening in the country.
“We [Gareth Southgate and I] go way back. He’s a guy I look up to. He’s always been there for me and given me advice.
“When I first took the job I looked to him as a mentor. I’m looking forward to competing against him.
“I just reached out to him when I got the job and asked would he tell me more about international football. And being the guy he was, he did.”
Credit: EPA “We’ve got to get out of the group… then we build from there”
When speaking to BBC Sport, England boss Gareth Southgate said: “USA and Iran are teams we’ve not played for a while and the third is an unknown but throws up a possible British derby.
“We’ve got to get out of the group. Out first objective is to get out of the group and then we build from there.
“In this situation all of our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, so when that tie is played out is irrelevant really.
“When you’re seeded you get the advantage of missing out on those big six or seven teams.
“Most of the first seeds would be pleased with the group they get. There are some highly ranked teams in pot two.
“The USA are an interesting one. They’ve got some very good players and we know what they could be capable of, so that one in particular is an intriguing one.”
Credit: Getty
“Playing on the opening day will be incredible”
England captain Harry Kane has reacted to the draw.
He took to Twitter to say: “Always exciting to see who we get in the group!
“Playing on the opening day will be incredible as well.”
James McFadden reacts
When speaking for BBC Sport, the former Scotland forward said: “We’ve got play-offs we have to worry about first.
“It’s a big enough incentive to get to the World Cup but to be in a group with England is great and that will motivate the players.
“It won’t be easy against Ukraine in the play-offs. If we manage to get through that and play Wales in the final then that is a huge game in the final.
“Scotland have a not bad record against Wales and Scotland are in a good place at the moment.
“Our performance at Wembley in the Euros showed the potential of this Scotland team.
“They’ve responded well to going out in the group stage at the Euros and there’s competition for places all over the pitch.”
A trip down Memory Lane
Many England fans will never forget Rob Green’s goalkeeping howler against The USA at the 2010 World Cup…
And by the look of things, he hasn’t either!
Ashley Williams reacts
When speaking for BBC Sport, former Wales captain Ashley Williams said: “No disrespect to anyone, all the teams are good but it could have been a little bit more daunting in another potential group.
“I’m quite happy but there’s a lot of work to do before then.
“They [Wales] just want to get there anyway for their own reasons [not just to face England].
“Of course one of Wales or Scotland usually draw England.”
Alan Shearer reacts
When speaking for BBC Sport, Shearer said: “This is the one thing in not having that ‘group of death’.It is pretty much open.
“I have to say that I am pleased Scotland, Wales or Ukraine got put in England’s group. It adds that little bit more excitement.
“If it is Wales or Scotland it makes it a bit tougher.”
“Gareth will look at that and think it could have been a lot more difficult.
“I am sure he and his players will be happy with that.”
The World Cup groups in full
England will face Iran, The USA and either Scotland, Wales or Ukraine in the group stages of the tournament.
More from Martin Lipton
We all remember how “E(ngland), A(lgeria), S(lovenia), Y(anks) wasn’t so easy in 2010.
But Southgate and his men could hardly have got a more favourable draw.
They would expect to cruise through to the last eight.
Wales and Scotland, though, will doubtless have other ideas.
Credit: AP More from Martin Lipton
No surprise that England have never previously played a British side at the World Cup Finals.
Nor have they played Ukraine, although they beat them in the 2012 and 2020 (well, 2021 actually) Euros.
Harry Kane scored twice in Rome in that 4-0 win, Wayne Rooney the only goal in Donetsk in 2012.
Latest from Martin Lipton
So…England v Iran November 21
England v USA Nov 25
England v Wales, Scotland or Ukraine Nov 29
Group H
- Portugal
- Ghana
- Uruguay
- Korea Republic
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
