World Cup 2022 draw, groups and matches in full: Reaction as England, Scotland and Wales in Group B
and live on Freeview channel 276
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
Former England captain Alan Shearer speaks!
“They’ve breezed through qualifying, they’ve made it look easy as many countries have.
“Although the Italians will argue with that.
“England will be looking forward to this tournament.”
Some time-fillers as we await the draw!
There is plenty of draw content via the National World website - so here are a few pieces to pass the time as we await things to get underway.
The countries that HAVE qualified and will be in today’s draw https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/who-has-qualified-for-world-cup-3632773
Ten countries that failed to qualify for the finals https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/ten-countries-that-have-failed-to-qualify-for-the-world-cup-finals-3636479
An explanation of the seeds and pots https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/world-cup-2022-draw-seeds-and-pots-explained-3633438
Hello and welcome!
It may not be coming home just yet but the World Cup is a step closer as we await the draw for the group stage of this year’s tournament.
The focus is currently on events in Doha as England and play-off hopefuls Scotland and Wales await their fate.
We all know the drill by now, don’t we? Lots of talk, lots of waiting around, and then finally the draw will be made.
It is scheduled to get underway at 5pm (honest!) - but let’s see how things pan out.
Whatever happens, we will have all of the latest news and reaction from the draw right here!
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