World Cup draw LIVE: England face USA, Iran and possibly Wales or Scotland at Qatar 2022
Follow all the latest updates as the Qatar 2022 World Cup group stage draw completed in Doha
Follow all the latest updates and reaction from Qatar 2022 as the World Cup group stage draw took place in Doha this afternoon.
England were drawn into Group B alongside USA, Iran and the winner of the three teams still alive in the European play-offs - namely Wales, Scotland and Ukraine. If Wales - who are through to the play-off final - or Scotland reach the World Cup, it will set up a tantalising Battle of Britain in Qatar.
Spain and Germany were drawn together in a standout tie in Group E, while hosts Qatar face Netherlands, the Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and Ecuador in Group A.
Gareth Southgate, who was in attendance at the draw, has been optimistic about England’s chances but insisted they will have to be “close to perfect” to lift the trophy later this year. The tournament will also likely represent the final chance for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to clinch World Cup glory before the end of their careers. Ronaldo’s Portugal are in Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea, while Messi’s Argentina face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C.
Follow all the latest updates after the draw below:
England’s path to World Cup final at Qatar 2022
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad will be hoping to make it back-to-back finals in major international competitions later this year - and this time go one step better and lift the trophy.
Four years ago England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup as the upturn in international fortunes began under Southgate, before they went the distance to the final at Euro 2020. Now in Qatar the objective will remain the same, to end the long wait since 1966 for success on the biggest stage.
Three matches in the group phase and then three further knock-out fixtures must be navigated at the finals before the trophy is up for grabs on 18 December at the 80,000-seater Lusail Stadium.
England’s path to World Cup final at Qatar 2022
Seven matches stand in the way of glory for Gareth Southgate’s side on the game’s biggest stage
World Cup 2022 draw
I was pretty sceptical of Jermaine Jenas conducting the draw but he’s done a good job for England there. Carli Lloyd will be pleased with the placing for the USA as well.
World Cup 2022 draw
England have never faced Scotland, Wales or Ukraine at the World Cup but they’ll definitely play one of them this time around.
Wales face England in potential World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022
Scotland and Wales might not yet know which of them will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but they do know who they will be playing in the group stage of the tournament if they qualify, after the draw was conducted in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday.
The winners of the eventual play-off final will be in Group B alongside fellow European nation and rivals England, as well as USA and Iran.
Wales have only ever reached the World Cup finals once, way back in 1958, when they progressed through a group phase to reach the quarter-finals, losing to eventual winners Brazil in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Wales learn potential World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022
One more win is still needed to guarantee passage to the finals in Qatar
Scotland face England in potential World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022
Scotland and Wales might not yet know which of them will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but they do know who they will be playing in the group stage of the tournament if they qualify, after the draw was conducted in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday.
The winners of the eventual play-off final will be in Group B alongside fellow European nation and rivals England, as well as USA and Iran.
Steve Clarke’s Scots are due to face Ukraine in a delayed play-off semi-final at Hampden Park in June, with Wales then facing the winners in a one-off fixture which will decide who makes it to the World Cup.
Scotland learn potential World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022
The Tartan Army still need two results to reach the finals but now know their fate if they reach Qatar
World Cup fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and full schedule for Qatar 2022
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins on 21 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December.
The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to take place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48 nations.
Reigning champions France will be among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.
Because of excessive summer temperatures in the Gulf state, the Qatar World Cup will be the first to be staged in winter rather than summer.
World Cup fixtures: Dates and kick-off times for Qatar 2022
Every match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
World Cup 2022 draw
England’s schedule sees them play Iran in the opener on Monday 21st November, the USA on Friday 25th November and Wales, Scotland or Ukraine on Tuesday 29th November.
World Cup 2022 draw
Here’s the draw in full:
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands, Senegal
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Scotland/Wales/Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
World Cup 2022 draw
Finally, Canada are the last team out of the pot. They complete Group F alongside Belgium, Morocco and Croatia.
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