World Cup 2022 draw LIVE: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland learn qualifying fate
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as the other European teams discovered who stands between them and a place in Qatar
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The 2022 World Cup draw is complete with European teams now knowing their opponents on the road to Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s England were pulled out in Group I alongside Poland, who have faced the Three Lions in qualifying for the 1974, 1990, 1994, 2006 and 2014 World Cups, as well as taking on England in the finals in Mexico in 1986. England and Poland also met in qualifying for the 1992 and 2000 European Championships. They also face Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino in matches which will be played between March and November next year.
Scotland are up against Denmark, Austria, Israel, the Faroe Islands and Moldova in Group F as they seek a first World Cup qualification since 1998. The Scots lost to Israel in a Nations League match last month.
The Republic of Ireland face reigning European champions Portugal, as well as Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in Group A, while Northern Ireland face a tough group against Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Follow live reaction and analysis from the draw in Zurich:
HEAD TO HEAD
Worth a quick look at England’s opponents, then?
We’ve played Poland 19 times, winning 11. A dozen of them were World Cup qualifiers and England have won five times at home, but just twice away.
GROUPS IN FULL
Check them out at your leisure…
World Cup 2022 qualification groups in full
The road to Qatar is now clear for the European sides after the draw in Zurich
Scotland’s World Cup 2022 qualifying group revealed
Steve Clarke’s side enter qualification for Qatar 2022 on a high after a play-off victory to earn a place at Euro 2020
England’s World Cup 2022 qualifying group revealed
The Three Lions have now discovered their route to Qatar in 2022
KEY CLASHES
Happy with that, national team fans?
From the top, Republic of Ireland will be looking at the clashes with Serbia as key to securing a top-two finish.
Northern Ireland have a big job on - no real minnows for Ian Baraclough’s side.
Wales should be optimistic, but will definitely need all their big players for the games against Czech Republic and Belgium.
Scotland…well, it’s tough, no denying. Austria, Denmark and Israel could all cause issues.
And England…they must be on their game against Poland and Hungary, both of whom have attacking talents at their disposal, but realistically the Three Lions should win the group.
GROUPS IN FULL
Group A - Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan
Group B - Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo
Group C - Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania
Group D - France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kazakhstan
Group E - Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia
Group F - Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group G - Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar
Group H - Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta
Group I - England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino
Group J - Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein
POT 6
Group F - Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group G - Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar
Group H - Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta
Group I - England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino
Group J - Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein
And that’s the draw in full! Two minnows really for England - no reminders of 1993, thanks. Two for Scotland too, but also three fairly tough opponents.
POT 5
Group G - Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia
Group H - Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus
Group I - England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra
Group J - Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia
Easy six points with two uninspiring 4-0 wins for England there, then! All of these groups have another nation to come, as does Group F.
POT 5
Group D - France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kazakhstan
Group E - Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia
Group F - Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands
Groups D and E are complete. Wales must fancy their chances of coming in the top two there.
POT 5
Group A - Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan
Group B - Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo
Group C - Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania
Those three groups are complete. How do you feel about it, fans of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments