World Cup draw

Following the pulsating—if controversial—conclusion to Africa's World Cup qualifying campaign, the identities of the continent's five sides for Qatar are ...

Tite's Brazil team are expected to be among the frontrunners at the 2022 World Cup with the Selecao aiming to be crowned world champions for a record sixth ...

* Tactical fluidity: Tite has fielded his Brazil team in a number of different shapes and formations over the course of his tenure. * Neymar? Neymar’s scoring record (71 goals in 117 caps) speaks for itself, but the 30-year-old’s role in this Brazil team has been the subject of much debate. Indeed, their five championships make them the most successful national team in men’s soccer. * Depth: Along with England and France, Brazil boast the deepest squad in international soccer right now. Despite their historic record, Brazil will have a point to prove in Qatar this winter. His players have clear roles and responsibilities and unlike some Selecao head coaches of the past, he has full commitment from his squad. If Brazil don’t win in Qatar, it won’t be because they don’t have the quality required. Tite makes good use of the wide areas and asks his team to play with a strong spine through the middle. Brazil have strength-in-depth all the way through their squad. In central defense, Thiago Silva continues to be a key figure for his country with Marquinhos the Chelsea defender’s most frequent centre back partner. Tite’s team finished top of CONMEBOL qualifying, going 17 games unbeaten in the campaign. Despite their track record as five-time World Cup winners, Brazil haven’t won the trophy since 2002.

Follow the draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals live with ESPN, as the 32 teams find out their group stage opponents.

11.00 ET / 15.00 GMT: Welcome to the 2022 World Cup finals draw.... 11.18 ET / 15.18 GMT: We will know the group stage fixtures and dates for all 32 teams as soon as the draw is made. However, we will have to wait to discover the venues and kickoff times. 11.36 ET / 15.36 GMT: After over 11 years since they won the bid to host the World Cup, Friday is a landmark day for Qatar's biggest event yet. 12.32 ET / 16.32 GMT: France coach Didier Deschamps is bringing out the World Cup trophy onto the stage. Japan and Costa Rica or New Zealand complete the group and will have their work cut out to make the knockout rounds. 13.20 ET / 17.20 GMT: Phew! That went at breakneck speed once the draw actually began. Suarez was sent off, Ghana missed the penalty and Uruguay went on to win on a shootout. "For most of the first seeds they would be pleased with the group they get. Well, in the 2010 World Cup, it was Ghana who thought they had scored with the last kick to go through to the semifinals. Asked about potential round-of-16 opponents, Southgate said: "We have to get out of the group first. And then with Ukraine, you're pulling for them naturally just because of everything that's going on and you want to give the people hope and spirit so it would be nice to see Ukraine pull through.

Iran lost only three out of 18 total World Cup qualifiers, while a potential Wales appearance would added Gareth Bale and the No. 18 team in the FIFA rankings ...

Portugal was the final team into Pot 1 but looks to have its hands full with Ghana coming out of Pot 4. The pairings are quite uncanny considering that Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland also shared a group in 2018. This is already turning out to be one of the most formidable groups, and a clear potential Group of Death candidate. Four of the last five champions haven’t gotten out of the group in their title defenses. And while it’s not Serbia or Senegal, Japan could arguably be one of the tougher Pot 3 teams. The bad news is that a potential matchup with Wales, ranked 18th in the FIFA world rankings, waits in the wings if Gareth Bale & Co. can win its June playoff.

Final qualifiers are still wrapping up, leaving a few spots left in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but that's not stopping the ball rolling on the tournament.

Brazil would go on to win the World Cup. The term originated during the 1970 World Cup in Mexico as a way to refer to the horrific Group C, which saw Brazil, England, Romania and Czechoslovakia put together. * Italy failed to qualify for the second straight World Cup. It’s an extremely unusual World Cup that won’t kick off until November 21 due to concerns about heat in the Persian Gulf, which routinely tops 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and would be hazardous for players. Friday marks the announcement of the draw for group stages, with 32 teams, including host nation Qatar, all finding out their fates. Teams were arranged into four pots, and then selected by random draw.

Ghana will come face-to-face with Uruguay in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to relive their emotional 2010 fiasco against the South Americans.

They were knocked out of the 2018 tournament in Russia in the group stage. Qatar will also take on African champions Senegal as well as the Netherlands, who return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018, in Group A. Ghana will come face-to-face with Uruguay in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to relive their emotional 2010 fiasco against the South Americans.

The draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday and LFC Transfer Room have predicted how the draw could pan out.

The draw has been made for the FIFA 2022 World Cup and it has thrown up an exciting clash between Virgil van Dijk's Netherlands and Sadio Mane's Senegal.

Will the Qatar edition mark the first time in 20 years that a non-European nation takes home the World Cup trophy?

Otto Addo was placed in temporary charge for that playoff and he could point with justifiable satisfaction to the way his side controlled the game even in the hostile atmosphere in Abuja. It may feel it has a point to prove against Uruguay, after the way Luis Suarez’s handball denied it at the last minute in the 2010 quarterfinal. Óscar Tabárez had been in charge for 15 years, had reshaped the entire structure of the country’s coaching and youth development, won a Copa América and led his side to a World Cup semifinal, but a sense of staleness had taken hold. Brazil won the World Cup last time it was staged in Asia. Twenty years on, it is one of probably only two sides with a realistic chance of putting a stop to the run of four straight European winners that have followed. Son Heung-min is the obvious star, but this is a side based on its defense; it conceded just three goals in those 10 group games. It went out in the group at the African Cup of Nations, and rather limped through qualifying, needing a highly questionable penalty against South Africa to top its group before an away goals win over Nigeria in the playoff. Kevin De Bruyne remains one of the best midfielders in the world, but, while there are questions about Romelu Lukaku’s form, the biggest issues are at the back where Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will have a combined age of 68 by the time the World Cup begins. It had only ever won two matches at a World Cup stage, but one of those was against the U. S. in 1998. It faces familiar opposition in Mexico, now under a former Argentina coach in Gerardo Martino. They met in the first World Cup and they’ve met twice since, Argentina wining on all three occasions. Memories of that embarrassment and Gareth Southgate’s admirable sobriety should guard against overconfidence, as should the fact that, by world ranking, this is the toughest group. Which, of course, brings up the biggest issue of this World Cup: that it is being held in Qatar, the most controversial host since the Argentinian junta of 1978. Hosts are never easy to assess given their dearth of qualifiers, but despite that Asian Cup success in 2019, there must be concern about the string of heavy defeats to Portugal, Ireland and Serbia last autumn and a draw against Azerbaijan. South Africa, though, remains the only host to fail to make it out of the group. And that perhaps hints at a growing sense that the expansion of football seen in the 1980s and ’90s is heading into retreat, that money is beginning to dominate the international game as the major western European nations invest in youth development.

Argentina will face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland at Qatar 2022 this November, after Friday's World Cup draw in Doha.

They were knocked out of the 2018 tournament in Russia in the group stage. Geopolitical rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together. Qatar will also take on African champions Senegal as well as the Netherlands, who return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018, in Group A. It will be the first World Cup held in November and December, the move from the usual June and July slot necessary because of the extreme heat in the Gulf region at that time of year. Hosts Qatar, who will be appearing at their first World Cup, will face Ecuador in the World Cup's opening game at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, 35 kilometres north-east of Doha. Iran and the United States last met at the 1998 World Cup in France when the Iranians won the politically-charged game 2-1 in Lyon.

The Netherlands has been drawn to face hosts Qatar, alongside Senegal and Ecuador in FIFA 2022 World Cup Group A in an outcome that will see teams from four ...

Although he has won a host of trophies during his career, Van Gaal's possession-orientated style of play has sometimes been described as being somewhat boring to watch. It remains to be seen how cohesive they will be as a unit but there is a good core for Van Gaal to work with. Previously in charge of major clubs such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Ajax, his Netherlands team went close in 2014.

Group E is undoubtedly the most intriguing, with the Spanish and Germans joined by Japan and either Costa Rica or New Zealand, with their deciding playoff match ...

The two are also joined by the Netherlands and Senegal in Group A.Qatar has relatively recent experience of playing South American nations after being invited to the 2019 Copa America. The Qataris acquitted themselves well, making Argentina work hard for a 2-0 win and earning a well-deserved pointed against Paraguay.France, winners of the 2018 and 1998 World Cups, were drawn into Group D with Denmark, Tunisia and the winner of an Intercontinental play-off -- either Australia, United Arab Emirates or Peru.Group B also offers up a number of interesting clashes, with 2018 semifinalists England facing the USA, Iran and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. The last time England faced the USA at a World Cup was back in 2010 -- and it's a match that still gives English fans nightmares.A calamitous error from then goalkeeper Rob Green gifted the Americans an equalizer after Steven Gerrard had opened the scoring for England.Ghana has also been offered a change of revenge of sorts after being drawn in Group H alongside Uruguay.In 2010, Luis Suarez infamously used his hands to block Dominic Adiyiah's goalbound effort on the line in the dying seconds of their quarterfinal.Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty -- resulting in Suarez running down the tunnel in celebration -- and Uruguay eventually reached the semifinals after a penalty shootout.Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo likely appearing at his last World Cup, and South Korea complete Group H in what will perhaps be one of the trickier groups to predict.Qatar 2022 will also likely be Lionel Messi's last World Cup for Argentina. Like Ronaldo, the 34-year-old has never won the World Cup but came agonizingly close in 2014, losing out to Germany in the final.Under Lionel Scaloni, the Argentines are in a considerably better place than they were four years ago in Russia and will certainly be confident of advancing out of group that includes Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia.Canada's reward for qualifying for a first World Cup in 36 years is a showdown against two of European football's leading protagonists in recent years. FIFA World Cup draw: Spain and Germany to face off in mouth-watering group stage matchSpain and Germany will face off in the headline act of the group stages at the 2022 World Cup after the draw for the tournament was made in Doha on Friday. Group E is undoubtedly the most intriguing, with the Spanish and Germans joined by Japan and either Costa Rica or New Zealand, with their deciding playoff match scheduled for June 13 or 14.Germany will certainly be hoping the match will be nothing like the previous meeting between the two nations, as Spain ran riot in a 6-0 victory during the Nations League in 2020.Host nation Qatar will play Ecuador in the opening day's third match after their World Cup opener was moved to better suit TV audiences in the South American nation.

Often, draws do not mean what they seem to mean at first reading. Just ask Spain and Germany.

After all the pomp and the circumstance, the video montages and the marketing spiel dressed up as mission statements, all you can say with any certainty is that it will, when it comes, be colorful. The guys are fearless.” England might be comfortable favorites to win their group, but there is no reason to believe the United States — returning after an eight-year absence — cannot finish second. But the group stage draw is not really a draw just for the group stage: It is a road map for the entire tournament, too.

Sanchez will hope to focus attention on the pitch — with a hard-working squad who will be determined to put on a show. Qatar World Cup Group A. Qatar will have ...

The opening fixture for Qatar will see the hosts meet Ecuador on Nov. 21, in a game that is arguably the most winnable of the three. Since then, the cash outlay on player development, coaching and infrastructure has paid off, with a No. 51 FIFA World Ranking, up from 112th. It will be a hugely significant occasion for Felix Sanchez's team, as they look to show that they can compete with the strongest nations in the world.

Millions around the world will be tuning in to the FIFA World Cup Draw, where the 32 participating nations will know their group-stage fate and the path ...

Teams drawn from Pot 1 into a group will automatically occupy the first slot in a group (Ex. A1, B1, C1, etc.), but the other slots will be drawn at random. The draw will start with Pot 1 and end with Pot 4. If there's a geographic clash, the team drawn is simply moved to the next group in sequence. The Wales/Scotland/Ukraine placeholder will be treated like any other European participant as far as geographic restrictions (maximum two European nations per group). 12:25 p.m.: Gianni Infantino says that the Qatar World Cup will be the best one ever. If they keep it up, they could be setting a new record in Qatar. All the VIPs are there. Geographic restrictions: Teams from the same region cannot be drawn in the same group with the exception of Europe. Since there are 13 European teams in the draw and only eight groups (A-H), a maximum two European nations are permitted in a single group. Mexico coach Tata Martino will go up against his home nation and a team he once coached. Teams are drawn one by one from the pot and are slotted sequentially into a group beginning with Group A and moving on through Group H. USA: In the US, the draw will be broadcast on FS1 (English) and on Telemundo and Universo (Spanish). Those channels can be streamed on fuboTV, which is available to new users on a free trial. He also pleaded for peace in the world and said he wants the World Cup to be one of unity.

Japan will also provide a stern test, after comfortably negotiating AFC World Cup qualifying Group B where they finished in second place. Costa Rica or New ...

Spain may not be quite as dynamic as they were in the past but they can still cause many problems for opponents with their passing and creativity. Enrique is known for preferring quick transitions from defense to attack. Japan will also provide a stern test, after comfortably negotiating AFC World Cup qualifying Group B, where they finished in second place.

After winning the 2021 Copa America and going undefeated in World Cup qualifying, Argentina will be heading to Qatar with the goal of winning the big one ...

FIFA issued suspensions to four Argentina players who didn't follow that protocol and ordered the match is replayed. Lionel Scaloni is Argentina's head coach and has been in the post since August of 2018, following a successful caretaker period. However, they are not the only threat, with Mexico also in Group C. A combination of quality, skill and experience is vital here. Both Messi and Argentina were on a mission at the 2021 Copa America and it was evident from the start. Manager Lionel Scaloni has cultivated a strong and deep squad built around their captain, and there's a swagger about the way Argentina bosses matches.

England coach Gareth Southgate at the draw for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC) on 1 April 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Southgate and his players have been outspoken in the fight against racism in recent years and have hinted they could make a stand on the rights abuses. There's obviously some really highly ranked teams in pot two, the US is an interesting one. "But they've got some very good players and we know what they could be capable of as a nation.

Finally, all the groups have been drawn and we know who's playing whom in Qatar this November. We go group-by-group to pick the favorites and more.

Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon make up the group and recent form suggests that Switzerland will make it through. All eyes on Denmark, who are solid at the back and showed at the Euros that they can compete with the big boys all the way to the semifinal. But Spain and Germany are two European heavyweights, and it's tough to see either of them slipping up in this group. The big appeal of this group is assessing whether Germany are over their unusually long blip of two poor tournaments, at Russia 2018 and Euro 2020. Tunisia won't win points for style and are nowhere near as talented as they've been in the past, but they've proven to be difficult to play against and cagey -- a script that served them well throughout qualifying. They reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the last European championship; if anything, they went out with a sense that they could have done more because in terms of talent, they certainly weren't inferior to the sides that beat them. The Saudis won their Asian qualifying group, beating out Australia and Japan, but they were disappointing at the Asian Cup and look a notch below the rest of the group. Poland overcame Sweden in a tense playoff final to qualify, but there's a sense they have yet to get their best out of their stars, Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski. Robert Lewandowski will get you out of jams, but only if you can get him the ball in dangerous areas and that's not always a given. Each of the potential European qualifiers has to be an underdog at this stage, but if it's Ukraine, you know who most neutrals will be rooting for. They won't be rattled by the pedigree of the Dutch and this should be an open affair. The leading nations can now plot their path to the final, with Brazil aiming for a record sixth title and France aiming to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since Pele's Brazil achieved that feat in 1958 and 1962.

Mexico has learned its three opponents for the World Cup in Qatar. Can 'Tata' Martino's side break through and reach the knockout rounds?

It might be unthinkable to imagine them at the quarterfinals once again, but it was also just as unthinkable a few years back when they shocked the globe with their win over Germany. Last, but definitely not least, will be Herve Renard's Saudi Arabia. Although they appear to be the easiest opponent for Mexico on paper, Saudi Arabia recently topped their respective group in the Asian Football Confederation's final qualifying round with seven wins and two draws in 10 matches. Barring an unanticipated victory over Argentina, what will probably define their position in the table will be the battle against Poland in their World Cup opener. A draw or a loss in that first game would make things much more challenging. A change in management before the playoffs also indicates that this team could be a work-in-progress. So now the questions come: Do Mexico have a chance to emerge out of the group stage?

England will face the United States while Mexico will take on Argentina following the draw for the 2022 World Cup.

The final of the 2022 World Cup will take place at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, December 18. The group stage will run until Friday, December 2 before the first knockout game takes place on Saturday, December 3. The tournament starts on Monday, November 21 and the opening game will see the hosts Qatar take on Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium.

The USMNT may have lucked out by not being placed in the most difficult group.

Those two teams also consist of the 2010 and ’14 World Cup champions. Meanwhile, Japan earned 22 points in qualifying and won’t be an easy out either. The World Cup draw occurred Friday morning, and the United States men’s national team was placed in Group B. That means the U. S. will face England, Iran and one of Wales, Ukraine and Scotland in the group stages.

Following Friday's draw in Doha for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, here is a deep dive into each group.

Brazil were in the same group as Serbia and Switzerland just four years ago. At almost 38, it will surely be Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance to win the World Cup. Yet Portugal have so much talent in their squad that some think they could even be better off without him. Belgium were until recently the top-ranked national team in the world and came third in 2018. Qatar, ranked 51st in the world, are appearing at their first World Cup but were among the top seeds thanks to their privileged status as hosts. Hajime Moriyasu's Japan will hope to have their say in a country where they won the Asian Cup in 2011. No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

AFP Sport examines each group following Friday's draw in Doha for the 2022 Qatar World Cup:...

Belgium were until recently the top-ranked national team in the world and came third in 2018. Hajime Moriyasu's Japan will hope to have their say in a country where they won the Asian Cup in 2011. No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.