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Groups who’ve certified for this yr’s World Cup in Qatar shall be eagerly watching to see who they’re pitted in opposition to within the group levels of the event.
The draw will happen on 1 April on the DECC venue in Doha, with the event to start out in November – quite than in the summertime, because of the extraordinarily scorching temperatures throughout these months.
The primary match is scheduled to happen on 21 November on the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, that includes the host nation and the ultimate shall be performed on the Lusail Stadium in Doha every week earlier than Christmas on 18 December.
Of the 32 members, 29 have already booked their place to participate within the first winter soccer World Cup.
The ultimate three locations shall be determined in June on the intercontinental play-offs, in addition to the European play-off remaining which has been delayed because of the struggle in Ukraine.
How does the World Cup draw work?
The 32 nations shall be drawn into eight teams of 4, with host nation Qatar positioned in place one in all Group A.
The opposite international locations shall be cut up into 4 pots based mostly on FIFA rankings, with the top-rated groups becoming a member of Qatar in pot one.
Every group could have no multiple nation from any confederation, apart from Europe which might have not more than two nations in anyone group.
The highest pot of seeds will function the seven highest-ranked sides concerned, plus hosts Qatar. England are at the moment ranked fifth on this planet, with Belgium, Brazil, France and Argentina above them. Spain and Portugal may also be in pot one for the draw, making up the highest seeds.
It means England might be drawn in the identical group as Germany – who’re at the moment ranked eleventh and due to this fact among the many pot of second seeds.
FIFA has revealed that the three groups nonetheless in with an opportunity of progressing by means of the play-off path by the point of the draw shall be handled as one entrant and positioned in pot 4 with the lowest-ranked nations.
Who has certified, and who’s in every pot?
4-time winners Germany had been the primary crew to qualify, whereas Brazil additionally secured early qualification as one of many high 4 groups in South America’s teams.
The winners of the 2018 event, France, secured qualification in November, topping their European qualifying group and England booked their place in Qatar comfortably, qualifying as group winners over the past worldwide break of 2021.
That is how the pots stand going into the draw:
Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.
Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.
Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.
Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru.
The play-offs for the ultimate locations within the fourth pot will happen in June.
Italy are greatest crew to overlook out on a spot in Qatar after they didn’t qualify for the event for a second time in a row following their shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia.
Mo Salah’s Egypt may also not function in Qatar after the African Cup of Nations runners-up misplaced 3-1 on penalties to Senegal.
Colombia, ranked nineteenth on this planet and with the likes of Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado, additionally miss out.
Who’re the favourites?
England shall be among the many favourites going into Qatar, after reaching the ultimate of Euro 2020 final yr – solely to lose on penalties to Italy.
The Three Lions additionally exceeded expectations in Russia 4 years in the past by reaching the semi-finals and shall be hoping to higher that this yr.
Nevertheless, the bookies’ favourites are Brazil and France whereas Spain, Germany, Argentina and Belgium will all hope to be in rivalry.
Portugal, who will probably be led out by Cristiano Ronaldo, and 2018 runners-up Croatia may be thought of outsiders.
Of the 21 tournaments to happen thus far, 9 have been held outdoors of Europe and solely as soon as has a European crew gained the World Cup outdoors of Europe – Germany in 2014.
What’s the format and schedule?
The 2022 World Cup will function 32 groups in eight teams of 4, with the highest two progressing to the spherical of 16.
4 group matches shall be performed every day, with the primary section of the event operating for 12 days.
Matches shall be assigned to stadiums after the draw.
Spherical of 16 matches will happen on 3-6 December, the quarter-finals on 9 and 10 December, and the semi-final matches on 13 and 14 December.
FIFA has confirmed the primary two rounds of matches will kick off at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm native time (10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm within the UK).
Kick-off instances within the remaining spherical of group video games and knock-out rounds shall be at 6pm and 10pm native time (3pm and 7pm UK time).
The ultimate is scheduled to kick-off at 6pm native time (3pm UK time) on 18 December.
A 3rd-place play-off will happen on 17 December.
Who might be the celebrities?
It might nicely be the final likelihood for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win a World Cup in Qatar.
Each shall be decided to take their groups to soccer’s pinnacle earlier than hanging up their boots and Ronaldo shall be supported by Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, and Diogo Jota, whereas Messi will hope the likes of Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala will help Argentina elevate the trophy.
France’s star-studded crew stormed the event in Russia however had a disappointing Euro 2020, which noticed Les Bleus knocked out by Switzerland on penalties.
Soccer writers have marked PSG’s Kylian Mbappe because the inheritor to Messi and Ronaldo and count on the ahead to be instrumental for France.
Whereas Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling drew plaudits within the final two tournaments for England, a number of younger gamers shall be vastly extra skilled.
The likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount and Declan Rice have all change into established stars within the Premier League, however Jude Bellingham might be key for England. The midfielder has proven maturity at Borussia Dortmund within the final 18 months, regardless of nonetheless being a youngster. He has been a squad participant for Gareth Southgate since 2020 however confirmed his potential throughout the worldwide break, taking house the Man of the Match award in a pleasant in opposition to Ivory Coast.
Canadian soccer has seen a resurgence lately and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is the poster boy for the North People. Whereas he’s at the moment out of motion after medical doctors recognized a coronary heart downside, he shall be key to Canada’s hopes of progressing out of their group.
Whereas Salah has missed out on the World Cup this yr, his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane shall be hoping to take Senegal deep into the event. The ahead was key to Senegal’s success within the African Cup of Nations this yr.
Germany’s Kai Havertz shall be hoping to proceed his good type at Chelsea going into the event. He has been key to Chelsea’s success since Thomas Tuchel took cost, scoring the successful purpose within the Champions League remaining final Might.
Spanish teenager Pedri confirmed glimpses of his expertise at Euro 2020 and has established himself as a key a part of Xavi’s Barcelona crew, drawing comparisons to Iniesta.
He’ll flip 20 in Qatar and is a positive guess for one of many younger gamers to observe throughout the event.
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