World Cup 2022 qualification: Wales to face Belgium, Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia in Group E

Ryan Giggs’ side learned their fate on Monday

(Getty Images)

Wales will face Belgium, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia in their qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup.

Wales were drawn in Group E as their opponents in the qualifying campaign for the tournament in Qatar were revealed.

Third-place finishers at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium represent the toughest challenge for Ryan Giggs’ side.

That said, Wales have an even record against the Red Devils, having won five, drawn three and lost five against them. Their biggest victory against the nation came in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

The Czech Republic should also prove competitive opposition. Wales have twice drawn with the Czechs and lost once, having never beaten them.

• England’s 2022 World Cup qualifying group
• Scotland’s 2022 World Cup qualifying group
• Northern Ireland’s 2022 World Cup qualifying group

Wales will feel that their match-ups against Belarus and Estonia will be very much winnable, in any case.

Group E

• Belgium
• Wales
• Czech Republic
• Belarus
• Estonia

Groups in full

A Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan

B Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia,

C Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania

D France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan

E Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia,

F Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands

G Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar

H Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta

I England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino

J Germany, Romania, Iceland, Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein

Key dates

Matchday 1: 24–25 March 2021

Matchday 2: 27–28 March 2021

Matchday 3: 30–31 March 2021

Matchday 4: 1–2 September 2021

Matchday 5: 4–5 September 2021

Matchday 6: 7–8 September 2021

Matchday 7: 8–9 October 2021

Matchday 8: 11–12 October 2021

Matchday 9: 11–13 November 2021

Matchday 10: 14–16 November 2021

Play-offs: 24, 25, 28, 29 March 2022

World Cup: 21 November–18 December