World Cup 2022 draw LIVE: England kick-off times revealed with Iran game on opening day, Senegal vs Netherlands first

Iran captain fears England

Iran’s captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh has revealed the Three Lions were the last team he wanted to face in the World Cup, after they were paired together in England’s group.

When asked if he was relishing the chance of playing against Gareth Southgate’s side, he told Sky Sports: “Not really, to be honest! England was the last team I would have picked, but it happened!

“England could easily have three top teams in the World Cup right now, they’re really well organised with the manager. They’ve worked together for a long time now and they know their strategy.

“Obviously the US are a strong side, they have a good generation now and most of their players are playing in Europe. And we still have to wait for the third team but we need to respect Scotland, Wales and Ukraine a lot. I don’t know a lot about Ukraine but the other two teams have made a lot of steps.

“It’s going to be very difficult to be honest but we’re going to be ready for it, prepared for it and we’re going to make our nation proud.”

Ghana’s extravagant kit

Ghana upset kit-lovers everywhere this week by eliminating Nigeria from World Cup 2022 contention.

But Thomas Partey and Co are set to gain a cult following of their own with their stunning jersey.

The Super Eagles had fans scrambling to the shops in 2018 to buy their glorious shirt used at that year’s World Cup.

And Ghana could now have a similar impact with their away kit.

The yellow, black, green and red effort features funky patterns as well as a lone black star – representing their team nickname.

Fans can currently pick up the Puma effort for £49 on sale – down from its original £70 price tag.

Marquinhos reacts to draw

Brazil star Marquinhos has given his opinion of the nation’s World Cup group.

He said: “It’s a draw similar to the 2018 World Cup. Switzerland and Serbia are with us again, they were complicated and tight matches. It will be another tight World Cup, with a very high level in many teams.

“I hope we will have a good group stage and qualify. There are no easy games in the World Cup, the three opponents we will play are very strong, they will give us a lot of trouble.

“We will have to be at our best from the first game.”

Brazil boss on Cameroon

Brazil boss Tite has admitted he doesn’t know much about World Cup opponents Cameroon.

Brazil were drawn alongside the African nation, Serbia and Switzerland in Group G.

But Tite revealed that his knowledge of Cameroon is limited.

He said to the BBC: “I have no deep knowledge about Cameroon.

“I have a general idea, but I can’t give you specific details as I was geared towards the World Cup qualifiers and in the direct preparation of the team.”

Sterling’s feeling good

Raheem Sterling is feeling optimistic ahead of the World Cup.

After finding out who England will play in the group stages, Sterling took to social media to express how he was feeling.

He simply wrote: “Let’s go.”

Matic on United and Maguire

Nemanja Matic admits Manchester United have not been good enough this season but defended teammate Harry Maguire against England’s boo-boys.

He said: “Harry Maguire did not serve that. I think that he played very well for England at the last Euros. He did fantastic so I don’t understand them.

“We have to be honest and say almost every player has to do more, has to give more.

“We have to do better as a team here. There is no more excuse.

“The last nine games we need to win seven or eight.”

Van Gaal on World Cup group

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that he has never seen Qatar play in a competitive match.

Holland were placed into Group A alongside the World Cup hosts and will be the favourites to progress to the round-of-16.

Ecuador and Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal were also drawn in the group, but Van Gaal is clearly not phased about who his side will face.

The ex-Man United boss said: “I don’t know if this is a nice draw, I don’t know much about these countries.

“I have been in Senegal on holiday two years ago, I have never been in Ecuador, I have never seen Qatar play.”

Iran and USA’s game view

Iran coach Dragan Skocic has said his nation’s game with the USA in the World Cup has nothing to do with politics despite the two countries’ frosty relationship.

He said: “I am not political. I am focusing on football.

“My team and I will therefore only concentrate on sporting matters and prepare for the games in the best possible way.”

Martinez on Argentina’s hopes

Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez reckons Argentina will win the World Cup as they’re the best team in the world.

Martinez will join Lionel Messi and Co as Argentina look to lift the trophy for the first time.

And he reckons the South American side nation can’t be stopped.

Martinez said: “No one else can be a favourite when the best in the world is ours.”

World Cup prize money

England have a huge incentive to lift the World Cup as the competition’s winner will get £32million, reports claim.

However, if the Three Lions finish runners up they will get £22.8m.

And Gareth Southgate’s side, along with the rest of the World Cup participants will get £1.1m each to prepare for the contest, according to Statista.

Saliba wants first-team football

Arsenal star William Saliba has revealed he needs to be playing regular football to be in with a shot of getting a spot in France’s World Cup team.

The Gunners ace is on loan at Marseille and has no intention of returning to The Emirates unless he gets to start consistently.

He said to L’Equipe: “Of course, I can’t just be on the bench at Arsenal and be happy.

“I want to play as a starter. After that, if I get into the rotation as a substitute, it’s not like staying with the Under-23s and never being in the squad.”

Neymar’s no longer No.1

Neymar won’t be the main threat for Brazil in the World Cup later this year, according to the country’s media.

The country have a new set of stars to entertain the masses led by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, they claim.

A journalist for UOL Esporte: “Neymar has not been the most important player in the Brazilian team for some time.

“You have Marquinhos, Casemiro, Paquetá now and Vinícius Júnior is coming.

“As a protagonist, he doesn’t work. And I think the national team is getting certain independence from Neymar in this final stretch of preparation.”

Looking forward to it

USA ace Christian Pulisic has revealed that Chelsea team-mate and England star Mason Mount was the first person to call him after the World Cup draw.

The two Blues pals will face each other in the group stages after England and USA were drawn in the same group.

And Pulisic is relishing the chance to play against Mount.

He said: “Of course playing against England is exciting. It’s funny you know, the first call I got was from Mason on my team and we’re already talking, excited, looking forward to the game.

“It’s obviously a big team (England) and I know a lot of these guys but I think it’s a really nice match up and something that we’re definitely excited about.”

Hoddle on England’s World Cup hopes

Glenn Hoddle thinks England are ready to win the World Cup.

He told Betfair: “It’s a very favourable draw and I see England as one of the favourites to win the competition.

“I can’t see any hurdles that England could fall at in the group, even if we got a draw against one of them I still think we would qualify.

“England can win the World Cup. Gareth has got a great record, he’s taken them to the semi-final of the last World Cup and he got to the final of the Euros.

“If England are a race horse they are ready to win. They’re one of the favourites and this group of players are capable of winning the tournament.”

Japan have no fear

Japan have no fear going into the World Cup despite being drawn in the Group of death along with Spain and Germany.

They’ll also have to take on the winner of a play-off tie between Costa Rica and New Zealand who will take group E’s last spot.

But Japan’s boss Hajime Moriyasu is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the big boys.

He said: “To be drawn against teams that have experience of winning the World Cup is meaningful for us because we’re aiming to take on the best in the world.

“We’ll start analysing our opponents, but we won’t be looking at them as being better than us. We want to bring out our own strengths.”

Messi’s World Cup?

Argentina legend Javier Zanetti has high hopes for Lionel Messi at the World Cup.

Messi’s yet to lift the World Cup with his country but Zanetti hopes Argentina’s Copa America win will spur Messi and Co to glory in Qatar.

He said: “Messi is very happy. I see him happy playing with the Argentine national team; hopefully, it will be his World Cup.

“Winning the Copa América did us good because it freed us after many years without winning a title.”

Southgate’s group stage view

England boss Gareth Southgate has given his thoughts on the Three Lions’ group stage opponents.

He said: “It’s intriguing isn’t it, because we’ve never played Iran. And then the States … I’ve met (US coach) Gregg (Berhalter) a lot recently, so we’ve had some good chats and he’s got them vastly improved.

“The third game is going to be a highly emotional game whoever it is. We all know where our thoughts are with Ukraine and we have to see whether they are even able to play or not.

“And of course if it’s one of the British teams, we’ve been through that in tournaments recently. So they become unique games, really. Form is totally out of the window.”

England’s route after group stage

Then should England qualify from the group they will be back in action that weekend.

Depending on if they top it or go through in second place, the Three Lions will face a team from Group A on either Saturday 3 or Sunday 4 December.

If they finish second, then it will be a 3pm clash on the Saturday.

But if they win the group, then they will be in action on Sunday at 7pm.

England’s group stage matches

It is set to be a condensed schedule with FOUR matches played on the opening match-day of the showpiece event.

And England versus Iran will be the second one to take place with a 1pm kick off (GMT) at the Khalifa International Sports Stadium.

It is Friday night action next for our men, with the second group match against USA set for a 7pm start.

That one will be held at the Al Bayt Stadium on November 25.

Then England will be hoping for some Tuesday night delight in their final group clash.

The potential bumper Battle of Britain will be staged at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29 with a 7pm kick off UK time.

England’s World Cup run

England’s World Cup schedule has been revealed – and it will all begin with a Manic Monday!

The Three Lions head to Qatar later this year with the tournament due to take place in winter for the first time in history.

It all gets underway on November 21 and England will be in action on the opening day.

Gareth Southgate’s men were drawn in Group B along with Iran, USA and the winner of the Uefa play-offs – which will be either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.

One more to go

There’s still one spot up for grabs in the World Cup as the last play-off game between Scotland and Ukraine is yet to be decided.

The winner of the game delayed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will face Wales in the final play-off tie.

FIFA are determined to get the last UEFA World Cup qualifying spot wrapped up by the end of June.

The plan is for the semi-final and the final to both be pencilled in for the same month to speed up the process.

Which could mean a very busy schedule for Wales who have UEFA Nations League fixtures to work around.

And for either Scotland or Ukraine who are exactly in the same boat.

It’s all Lou to me

Louis Van Gaal has admitted that he doesn’t know much about Holland’s Group A opponents at the Qatar World Cup.

But he did reveal that he went on holiday to Senegal a few years back who are in the group.

And it’s been announced that Van Gaal’s troops will take on the African nation in the tournament’s opening game.

Opening game revealed

A new opening game for the World Cup has been announced.

After it was revealed that host nation Qatar won’t participate in the tournament’s opener.

The new first game will be played between Senegal and Holland, the BBC reported.

Qatar NOT in opening game

The World Cup 2022 fixtures have been revealed.

And for the first time since 1938, neither the host nation nor the holder will be involved in the opening match.

Here is how the first day of the tournament – November 21 – will look.

• Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands (10am)
• Group B: England vs Iran (1pm)
• Group A: Qatar vs Ecuador (4pm)
• Group B: United States vs Wales or Scotland / Ukraine (7pm)