World Cup 2022 draw, groups and matches in full: Reaction as England, Scotland and Wales in Group B
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England could meet either Scotland or Wales after the Home Nations trio discovered their fate after the draw for the group stage of the World Cup was completed on Friday afternoon.
Gareth Southgate’s men enjoyed a relatively stress-free qualifying campaign and are viewed as one of the sides likely to make an impact in Qatar.
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The Three Lions will face 2010 group opponents USA, Iran and the winners of the final European play-off between Wales and the victors in the semi-final tie between Scotland and Ukraine.
Scotland will host Ukraine when and if it is possible to play their semi-final tie at Hampden Park, with the victors visiting Wales to finalise the line-up for the first ever winter tournament.
After the draw was completed former England captain Alan Shearer told the BBC: “Gareth will look at that and think it could have been a lot more difficult than it’s actually come out.
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Hide Ad“He will be happy with that and I am sure his players will be as well.
“I have to say I am pleased that Scotland, Wales or Ukraine got put in England’s group because it just adds a little bit more excitement in that group.
“When you look at USA and Iran, you think okay England, but if it’s going to be Scotland or Wales, that makes it a bit tougher.
“You take what’s given, you look forward to it, and the England players will be full of confidence going into the tournament after what happened in the last two and with a genuine belief they can actually do something in this World Cup.”
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Hide AdFormer Wales captain Ashley Williams added: “No disrespect to anyone, all of the teams are good, especially England, but it could have looked a little bit more daunting than what we could potentially go into.
“We are quite happy but there is obviously a lot of work to do before then.”
Former Scotland forward James McFadden described the draw as a 'great incentive' for either of the Home Nations to meet England at the World Cup.
He said: “We have play-offs we have to worry about and hopefully we can get through the first one, which sets up an unbelievable encounter against Wales.
“For either side, it’s a great incentive.
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Hide Ad“It’s a big enough incentive to get to the World Cup, but knowing you’re going into a group with England, it’s great and it will motivate the players going into those play-off games."
The opening game of the tournament will see Qatar take on Ecuador on Monday 21st November and that game will precede England’s opener against Iran.
The draw in full is:
GROUP A - Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
GROUP B - England, Iran, USA, Wales or Ukraine or Scotland
GROUP C - Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
GROUP D - France, Denmark, Tunisia, UAE or Australia or Peru
GROUP E - Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand
GROUP F - Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
GROUP G - Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
GROUP H - Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
Follow highlights of the 2022 World Cup draw in full from Qatar in our recapped blog below.
World Cup 2022 draw live as England, Wales and Scotland learn their fates
Key Events
- The USA will feature in England’s group
- The Three Lions will meet Iran on the 21st November in their first game of the tournament
- Scotland, Wales or Ukraine complete England’s group
So there’s the draw in full...
GROUP A - Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
GROUP B - England, Iran, USA, Wales or Ukraine or Scotland
GROUP C - Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
GROUP D - France, Denmark, Tunisia, UAE or Australia or Peru
GROUP E - Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand
GROUP F - Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
GROUP G - Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
GROUP H - Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
And there is Canada!
They are back for the first time since 1986 and led by North East-born John Herdman.
Canada are into Group F with Belgium, Morocco and Croatia.
Ghana meet Portugal in their opener!
Ghana complete Group H with Uruguay, South Korea and Portugal, who they meet in their opening game.
It could be a Home Nations clash!!
Scotland or Wales could be in England’s group if they come through their play-off scenario with Ukraine!
England still wait...
Costa Rica or New Zealand are in Group E and they will face Spain in their first game.
Saudi Arabia can’t go into England’s group
Iran’s presence in England’s Group B means Saudi Arabia move to Group C with Argentina, Mexico and Poland.
Ecuador complete Group A
And they face Qatar in the opening game of the tournament. Senegal and Netherlands complete Group A.
UAE, Australia or Peru are out!
And the winners of those intercontinental play-off are in Group D with France, Denmark and Tunisia as that group is completed.
South Korea head into Group H
South Korea are back and they’re in a tricky looking Group H with Portugal and Uruguay.
Morocco return for a sixth appearance
The Atlas Lions will face Croatia and Belgium in Group F.
This is motoring along nicely now isn’t it? No Scotland or Wales as yet though...
Group E is definitely the Group of Death
Japan go into Group E with former winners Spain and Germany.
What an exciting group that seems.
A big move for Serbia
Serbia come out of the pot and they go into Group G with Brazil (who they meet in their opening game) and Switzerland.
Lewandowski v Messi?
Poland go into Group C and that means two experienced forwards go head-to-head as Robert Lewandowski’s side meet Lionel Messi’s Argentina (and Mexico).
The African champions are in Group A
Senegal are placed into Group A and the current African Cup of Nations champions will meet Netherlands in the opening game.
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