World Cup 2022

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      When are Wales, Scotland and Ukraine playing their World Cup qualifier?

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      WALES await the winners of Scotland and Ukraine in the play-off final after a thrilling win over Austria in Cardiff.The Dragons slayed the Austrians with a 2-1 victory courtesy of a stunning a delightful double from Gareth Bale.
      Captain Gareth Bale’s double against Austria fired Wales to the play-off finalCredit: Reuters
      Which has kept their dreams of playing in their first World Cup since 1958 alive.
      However, the postponement of Ukraine’s fixture against Scotland – the other play-off semi-final, will mean that the Welsh are going to have to wait a little longer for one of the biggest games in the country’s history.
      When could Scotland vs Ukraine happen?
      FIFA have confirmed that they will try and find a date for the semi-final fixture between Scotland and Ukraine at some point in June.
      But it may be proven difficult as both sides have four UEFA Nations League encounters to participate in that month.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TOP DRAW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England’s World Cup draw details revealed including group of death and dream route
      Also, it is dependant on the current situation of Ukraine at the time who required for the fixture to be postponed due Russia’s invasion of the country.
      So there has been no clear date set for when the play-off semi-final will take place.
      When could the play-off final be?
      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.
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      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.
      What has been said?
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke isn’t confident of his side’s game against Ukraine going ahead in June.
      Clarke said: “If you’re asking me now will the game go ahead in June then it’s going to be difficult.
      “I would imagine everyone is waiting until this round of matches is out of the way and then see how the situation develops.
      “But obviously it’s not looking great at this moment. It’s a situation we can’t control
      “Maybe in April, we can all sit down together, look at the schedule and how it’s going to pan out for us.” More

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      Who can England get in the group stages of the World Cup?

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      ENGLAND secured their World Cup qualifying spot back in November but they finally get to find out their group stage fate TOMORROW.The Three Lions comfortably topped Group I – going on an unbeaten 10-game run where they accumulated 26 points.
      England annihilated San Marino 10-0 in their final World Cup qualifying matchCredit: Getty
      And whilst a number of nations were battling it out for a plane ticket to Qatar within the last two weeks, Gareth Southgate’s men were securing international friendly victories against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
      But the countdown to the 2022 World Cup officially starts with the draw on Friday and here are the possible scenarios England could be facing.
      What are the pots for the World Cup?
      The pots are determined by current FIFA rankings.

      Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Portugal, England, Argentina, Spain.
      Pot 2: Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Uruguay, Croatia.
      Pot 3: Japan, Serbia, Iran, Morocco, South Korea, Senegal, Poland, Canada.
      Pot 4: Ecuador, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Peru, Wales, Costa Rica.

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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NOT YOU AGAIN .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}World Cup draw simulated with England getting tough ties vs Germany & Senegal
      Which teams can be in England’s group?
      England will avoid a lot of the big boys early on in the competition because FIFA state that teams in the same pot cannot be put into the same group.
      However, with old foes Germany sitting in 12th spot on the FIFA leaderboards at the moment, they have gone into Pot 2 which could potentially see the Three Lions and the Germans paired in the same group.
      Another potentially difficult group candidate are the Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal who beat Egypt over two legs to book their spot in footballs biggest competition.
      And the tricky customers from Pot 4 could be Ghana who scraped a win over bitter rivals Nigeria in their qualifying match, along with England’s fellow British companions Wales.
      But the Three Lions can only have wales in their group if they do not get any of the European sides in Pot 2 or Pot 3 because FIFA are wanting to separate teams geographically too.
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      What is England’s best and worst case scenarios?
      England will fancy themselves to get far in this edition of the World Cup based on their wide range of talented stars.
      And the Three Lions have avoided teams such as Brazil, Portugal and the current holders France in the group stages.
      But Gareth Southgate will still be hoping that his side can be put in the easiest group on paper possible.
      Best case scenario: USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia
      Worst case scenario: Germany, Senegal, Wales More

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      Chelsea star Hudson-Odoi ‘considering switching international allegiance from England to play in World Cup 2022’

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      CHELSEA star Callum Hudson-Odoi is reportedly considering switching international allegiance from England to play at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.The Blues academy graduate is eligible to play for Ghana, who booked their place at the tournament on March 29 after drawing 1-1 with Nigeria.
      Hudson-Odoi celebrating his goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League win over JuventusCredit: NEWS GROUP
      Hudson-Odoi in action for England against KosovoCredit: ALAMY
      Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey scored the all important away goal to send his country through.
      And according to Goal, Hudson-Odoi is considering switching his international allegiance from England to Ghana in order to play at the World Cup.
      Hudson-Odoi has three senior Three Lions caps but can still switch as they all took place before he turned 21.
      His father Bismark was a footballer in Ghana for Hearts of Oak. 
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      The player is believed to have had dialogue with the Ghanaian FA.
      Hudson-Odoi was also invited to meet with Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo.
      Should Hudson-Odoi make the switch, he could end up facing England in Qatar.
      England have been placed in Pot One for Friday’s group stage draw.
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      Ghana, however, are in Pot Four alongside the likes of Canada and Cameroon.
      The winger has played 28 times for Thomas Tuchel’s European champions his term.
      But he has just three goals across all competitions with one of those coming in the Premier League.
      Hudson-Odoi was denied a loan switch to Borussia Dortmund last summer.
      And he had previously attracted serious interest from dominant German champions Bayern Munich.
      Bayern first tried to sign the winger in January 2019. More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Lionel Messi awkwardly push off pitch invading fan in huge security breach after Argentina’s draw with Ecuador

      by

      LIONEL MESSI had to awkwardly push off a pitch invader after Argentina’s draw with Ecuador. Soon to be Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez thought he had scored the winner in the World Cup qualifier.
      A pitch invader tried to take a video with MessiCredit: REUTERS
      Security rushed on to the pitch to stop the Ecuador fanCredit: AP
      Messi asked the fan to ‘stop’

      But former West Ham man Enner Valencia scored a late added time equaliser to confirm Ecuador’s place at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
      And at full-time, a pitch invader tried to take a video with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who didn’t look comfortable with the attention.
      The fan told Messi: “Leo, Leo. A photo, I come from the United States.”
      Security then managed to wrestle the fan away, who caught the interaction on camera.
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      Despite the draw, Messi made Ecuador right-back Byron Castillo’s night.
      Messi swapped shirts with the Barcelona SC player.
      Castillo was congratulated by his team-mates for managing to get one of the greatest players of all time’s shirt.
      He beamed as he checked out the front and back of Messi’s No10 Argentina shirt.
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      Messi will be at this winter’s World Cup, but it may be his last chance to win the competition having previously lost a final in 2014 to Germany.
      The Paris Saint-Germain ace, who is enduring a tough club campaign, says he will have to “rethink a lot of things” after this year’s World Cup.
      He said: “I can only think about what’s coming next, I only think about facing Ecuador.
      “After the World Cup, I will have to rethink many things.” More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Ranking all 22 World Cup balls from worst to best after Qatar 2022 ball is revealed as ‘quickest in tournament history’

      by

      THERE are many footballs in the world but there is only one for each World Cup.From the old and heavy brown ball of the early 20th century, to the unforgettable black-and-white spotty one of the 1970s and the artsy versions of today.
      The 2022 World Cup tournament is set to take place this winter in QatarCredit: Getty
      This year’s ball for Qatar 2022 was recently unveiled by FIFA and England will have adidas’ “Al Rihla” at their feet as they bid to bring football home for the first time since 1966.
      And the manufacturers have promised that it will be the “fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball to date” ahead of the upcoming draw.
      Design Director at adidas Franziska Loffelmann said: “The game is getting faster and, as it speeds up, accuracy and flight stability become critically important.
      “The new design allows the ball to maintain a significantly higher speed as it journeys through the air.
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      “For the biggest global stage in all of sport, we set out to make the impossible possible with radical innovation by creating the fastest and most accurate FIFA World Cup ball to date.”
      But how Al Rihla compare to all other World Cup balls as we rank them from worst to best starting from 1930 all the way to today:
      22nd:

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      Best XI of stars going to World Cup 2022 with NO Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi as new generation takes over

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      THE best footballers on the planet will congregate in Qatar this winter for the greatest show on Earth.Fans of the 32 teams involved will be able to start plotting their paths to glory tomorrow, when Fifa conduct the draw for the tournament.
      Kylian Mbappe is now world football’s poster boy – and among the favourites for the golden bootCredit: Rex
      He’s joined in our best XI by Senegal and Liverpool hitman Sadio ManeCredit: EPA
      Chelsea and Senegal star Edouard Mendy will keep goalCredit: EPA
      Declan Rice will be protecting the all-star XI’s defenceCredit: Getty
      A number of top class players will miss out after their countries failed to qualify – including the likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah.
      But let’s celebrate those that have made it, and will be vying for glory this December.
      Three spots remain up for grabs, with not all play-offs having quite yet been completed.
      From the 29 that have already punched their tickets, however, SunSport guides you through the best players that will grace Qatar’s brand new arenas later this year.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}STAYING HOME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Best XI of stars NOT going to World Cup 2022 after Salah heartbreak & Italy KO
      Despite Argentina and Portugal qualifying, we have not included Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo – with this winter’s tournament set to cement the dawn of a new era of football superstars.
      In goal we’ve selected Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy.
      The Senegalese ace was arguably robbed of last year’s Yashin Trophy – recognising the best goalkeeper in the world – by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
      And even if Italy had managed to qualify, we’d still be going for Mendy.

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      In our alternate XI, Liverpool’s Brazilian star Alisson makes the cut.
      England are blessed with a stunning array of right-backs, with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold all competing for a starting spot.
      The latter gets the nod for us, although he’s pipped to our first XI by Moroccan superstar Achraf Hakimi.
      At centre-back it’s hard to look past Premier League superstars Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Silva – although Antonio Rudiger and Kalidou Koulibaly deserve honourable mentions.
      Canada, led by Englishman John Herdman, have qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 – so fans can look forward to watching Bayern Munich superstar Alphonso Davies on the biggest international stage.
      He could be joined at the tournament by Scotland’s brilliant left-backs Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, but for now Joao Cancelo is the other stand-out that can play the position.
      Declan Rice, N’Golo Kante and Luka Modric would make up a mouthwatering midfield trio – with Pedri and Thomas Partey also set to make their marks on the tournament.
      Sadio Mane has guided Senegal to the finals at the expense of Salah’s Egypt, while Kylian Mbappe will hope to shine just as much as he did on the way to winning the 2018 World Cup as a teenager.
      Son Heung-min will be pivotal to South Korea’s chances of making a splash, and Bernardo Silva will be dangerous if his sensational club form translates.
      Van Dijk will marshall the defence as he does for HollandCredit: Rex
      Thiago Silva will join him in a formidable centre back partnershipCredit: AFP
      Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies will be at the World Cup as Canada return after 36 yearsCredit: Getty
      PSG and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi will take up the right back slotCredit: Rex
      Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema will surely begin the tournament as Golden Boot favourites, as the world class strikers of their generation.
      But in our best XI, it’s Bayern Munich’s Poland hitman who gets the nod.

      The tournament will be blessed with some top strikersCredit: Reuters
      Luka Modric and N’Golo Kante faced off in the last World Cup finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Fifa plans for World Cup every two-years officially SCRAPPED after backlash as Infantino claims it wasn’t his idea

      by

      FIFA’S plan for a World Cup every two years has been publicly ditched.And world chief Gianni Infantino incredibly claimed it was NEVER his plan.
      Infantino declared the proposal of a World Cup every two years was not his ideaCredit: AFP
      In a performance of staggering front – and which seemed to throw Arsene Wenger under the passing bus – the Fifa President told the Congress of the 211 member associations of the abrupt U-turn.
      Infantino said: “Let me clarify one thing here – and I want to speak about some of the discussions and speculations on a biennial World Cup.
      “Fifa has not proposed a biennial World Cup.
      “Let’s get the process clear. At Congress last year 88 per cent of associations asked us to study the feasibility of that and some other projects.
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Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}WORLD CUP DRAW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}All the info on draw for Qatar 2022 World Cup
      “Fifa, under Arsene Wenger, did that. We studied the feasibility. 
      “But Fifa did not propose anything.
      “Fifa came to the conclusion that it was feasible but would have repercussions and an adverse impact.
      “The next phase was consultation and discussion and trying to find agreements and compromises, to find what was most suitable for everyone.
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      “What is important is respect of the football institutions and the pyramid, with Fifa at the top, where everyone has their own role.”
      It was a brazen performance by the Swiss world chief, but a major defeat for the Fifa hierarchy and victory for Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin and Europe’s major leagues and clubs.
      Infantino, though, will now push ahead with a renewed plan to improve and increase the number of women’s and youth tournaments.
      He added: “We need international competitions between continents but the future is much more than that and shouldn’t be reduced to World Cups or competitions. 
      “The future is women’s football, a new calendar, and  youth football, with World Cups for youth sides every year and double the number of participants to give more opportunities at global level.” More

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      in Soccer

      England’s World Cup draw details revealed including who Gareth Southgate’s side can get and group of death scenario

      by

      THE draw for the 2022 World Cup is nearly upon us.And ahead of Friday’s big event, SunSport answers all of your questions, starting with…
      The draw for the 2022 World Cup takes place on Friday with England set to discover their group-stage opponentsCredit: PA
      SunSport answers all of your questions ahead of the new-look draw for the 2022 World CupCredit: AFP
      How does it work?
      The qualified teams will be placed in four seeding pots, all decided by the new Fifa world rankings list.
      England, fifth in the rankings, join hosts Qatar, new world No1 Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, Spain and Portugal in Pot One.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}WORLD CUP DRAW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}All the info on draw for Qatar 2022 World Cup
      But aren’t there some countries who haven’t qualified yet?
      Yes, for the first time the draw will take place without all the qualified teams known.
      There are three outstanding play-offs, one in Europe – with Scotland due to play Ukraine for the right to meet Wales in Cardiff – and two one-game intercontinental play-offs to be played in June.
      New Zealand will meet Costa Rica while Peru await the winners of the Asian play-off between Australia and the UAE.
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      So how does that affect the draw?
      There are only five qualified teams in Pot Four and the three outstanding play-off ties will fill the last three places in the lowest tier.
      What are the pots?
      Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.
      Pot 2: Holland, Denmark, Mexico, Germany, USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, Croatia.
      Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, Korea, Tunisia.
      Pot 4: Canada, Cameroon, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana plus three play off winners.
      And it’s a free draw after that?
      No, not at all.
      Fifa wants to separate teams geographically for the group stage but with 13 European sides and eight groups, it means five of the groups will contain two teams from Uefa.
      No other teams can play sides from the same confederation, so England could only possibly play Scotland or Wales if they do not get any of the European sides in Pots Two or Three.

      But we will know who plays who, when and where at the draw?
      Another significant change from the customary World Cup draw process…
      The draw will determine the eight groups and the sequence of matches.
      But with all eight stadia in Qatar covered by a distance of just 42 miles from Al Bayt in the north to Al Janoub in the south, venues for the matches will be allocated by Fifa after the draw, as will the kick-off times.
      OK… why?
      Simple really – Fifa want to ensure the games with the biggest appeal for fans are played at the largest stadiums.
      So if England are drawn with, for example, Germany, it will almost certainly be played at the Lusail Stadium, the 90,000-capacity venue for the final.
      A game of that magnitude could also be played at the 60,000-seater Al Bayt, depending on which of them is due to be used that day.
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      And the kick-off times?
      Qatar is three hours ahead of the UK in November and the idea, with four matches played each day in the group phase, is to maximise TV viewing.
      So games involving the major European teams in particular will be placed in the evening slots, probably the 10pm local time kick-off – 7pm at home.
      Likewise, Asian teams like Japan, will take one of the earlier slots as Tokyo is five hours ahead of Doha.
      Kick-off times in the UK are 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm.
      When we will know that?
      Fifa officials are preparing to work through the night after the draw and confirm the group phase schedule by Saturday lunchtime.
      What the best case scenario for England?
      Probably USA, South Korea and Ghana.
      And the worst?
      Germany, Senegal and Ecuador. More