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
England face USA in World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022
England will play the USA in the Fifa World Cup group stage after learning their opponents in this evening’s draw in Doha for Qatar 2022.
The Three Lions came agonisingly close to winning last summer’s Euro 2020 on home soil, falling short on penalties against Italy, who have failed to qualified for this year’s World Cup.
But redemption will start in Group B, which will include games against Iran, the USA and then the winner of the European play-off between Scotland/Ukraine/Wales.
England learn World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022
Gareth Southgate’s side travel to Qatar as one of the favourites for the 2022 Fifa World Cup
England boss Gareth Southgate gives his reaction to World Cup draw
Gareth Southgate says he isn’t looking beyond the group stage of the Qatar 2022 World Cup after England were handed a kind group during the official draw in Doha.
Drawn into Group B, the Three Lions were joined by USA, Iran and the winner of the remaining European play-off - either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.
Seeded into Pot 1, they avoided the big names lurking in the lower pots which included the likes of Netherlands, Germany, African champions Senegal and their World Cup 2018 conquerors Croatia.
England boss Gareth Southgate gives his reaction to World Cup draw
The Three Lions were drawn into Group B alongside USA, Iran and then one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine
World Cup 2022 draw
USA boss Gregg Berhalter gave his reaction to BBC Sport saying:
We think it’s a good group. Every opponent in the World Cup is difficult.
“With England it’s an exciting match-up, Iran are a diverse opponent who did well in qualifying and then we’ll have to wait to see our third opponent.
“Overall I’m pleased with the group and excited to get started.
We played Wales recently in a friendly, we know Scotland and then you’re pulling for Ukraine naturally because of what’s happening in the country.
“We [Gareth Southgate and I] go way back. He’s a guy I look up to. He’s always been there for me and given me advice. When I first took the job I looked to him as a mentor. I’m looking forward to competing against him.
“I just reached out to him when I got the job and asked would he tell me more about international football. And being the guy he was, he did.”
England’s World Cup fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and full schedule for Qatar 2022
England face a potential showdown with neighbours Wales or Scotland at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side were drawn in Group B along with Iran, USA and the winner of the Uefa play-off route which contains Wales, Scotland and Ukraine.
Spain and Germany have been drawn in a tough-looking Group E with Japan and either Costa Rica or New Zealand, while Portugal meet Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in a well-balanced Group H. Hosts Qatar will kick-off the tournament against Ecuador, before taking on Senegal and Netherlands.
The tournament Qatar begins on 21 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December. 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.
England’s World Cup fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and full schedule for Qatar 2022
England will take on Iran, USA and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
World Cup 2022 draw
This is the third time England and the USA will face in a World Cup group stage (also 1950 and 2010). It will be the first time England have been in the same group as another nation in three separate World Cup tournaments.
England have won eight of their 11 matches against the USA (D1 L2), but all eight wins have been friendlies.
The Three Lions have never faced Iran in any senior international. They have never lost to an Asian nation, winning five - including against Kuwait at the 1982 World Cup - and drawing four.
World Cup 2022 draw
Here’s the reaction from England boss, Gareth Southgate:
First two are teams we’ve not played for quite a while, the third is a total unknown, a potential British derby, we’ve had plenty of them. We’re in on day one, it’s clear what our programme looks like after the Premier League.
“We’ve got to get out the group, we’ve done well is approaching the group, get out, regardless of the opposition and go from there.
“All of our thoughts are with Ukraine, when that tie is played, it’s irrelevant it’s for the rest of us to adapt and adjust.
“We only spoke a few days ago, we were delayed eight hours, I’ve not had a lot of time here, we’ll speak to people here, we need to build relationships here to highlight changes we want to make. My focus is on the draw and what that means.
“When you’re seeded, you get the advantage of missing out on the big six or seven teams. For most of the seeds they would be pleased with the group they get, there are some really highly-ranked teams in two, the USA are an interesting one. We were smiling at the end, they’ve got some good players and we know what they’re capable of as a nation.”
World Cup 2022 draw
Favourites to win 2022 World Cup
Brazil 9/2
France 5/1
England 6/1
Spain 7/1
Argentina 8/1
Germany 17/2
Belgium 9/1
Portugal 10/1
Netherlands 10/1
Denmark 22/1
Uruguay 40/1
Croatia 40/1
*Latest odds via Betfair
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