Qatar will host the 22nd FIFA World Cup, which will begin on November 21 and finish on December 18. 29 teams have already qualified for the main event, and the rest of the three teams will be confirmed in June. All 32 teams will be divided into eight groups, with four teams in each group. The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center hosted the group stage draw on April 1. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16. Let’s have a look at who plays with whom in the group phase in FIFA World Cup 2022.
Favourites to progress to the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Each team will play three matches in the group stage in order to qualify for the Round of 16. The matches will take place at eight different venues. Let’s see which teams have the best chance of making it to the first knockout round.
Group A
The four teams in Group A are the Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar. The Netherlands are favourites to claim the top spot in the group, while Senegal and Ecuador will be eyeing the second spot. Oppositely, participating in the World Cup is a significant achievement for Qatar’s national team.
Verdict: Netherlands and Senegal.
Group B
The four national teams in group B are England, Iran, the USA, and the UEFA Path A winner (Wales/Scotland/Ukraine). England are one of the favourites to win this year’s World Cup and they will aim to finish top of this group. Iran were one of the first teams to qualify from the AFC region, and they will be very competitive during the main event. The United States also has a fair chance to advance to the next round.
Verdict: England, Iran
Group C
Argentina are one of the favourites for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and they will likely finish top of Group C. Mexico and Poland will fight for the second spot in this group, while Saudi Arabia have a slim chance.
Verdict: Argentina and Mexico.
Group D
The reigning champions, France, will start as hot favourites to lift the 2022 Qatar World Cup. They will be up against Denmark, Tunisia, and the AFC-CONMEBOL winner (Peru, Australia, UAE) to seal the first position in the group. Denmark will have a better chance to finish second in the group than the other participants.
Verdict: France and Denmark
Group E
Spain and Germany are the favourites to win the World Cup 2022, and they will almost certainly finish first and second in their group. Japan and the CONCACAF-OFC Winner (Costa Rica/New Zealand) are the other two teams in the group.
Verdict: Spain and Germany.
Group F
Belgium and Croatia will start as favourites to qualify for the Round of 16 from this group. But, Canada and Morocco can also surprise everyone with their performances.
Verdict: Belgium and Croatia
Group G
Brazil are one of the hot favourites to win the Qatar World Cup 2022, and they will attempt to dominate the tournament by finishing first in their group. The other three teams in this group, Switzerland, Cameroon, and Serbia, all have an equal chance to advance to the next round.
Verdict: Brazil and Cameroon.
Group H
This is the most difficult group of all. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal team cannot afford to be complacent and believe they will breeze through the first round. Because their opponents in this group, Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea, are all capable of defeating one another.
Verdict: Portugal and Uruguay
Bottom Line
It is clear from the draw that group H will be the death group. There is no obvious favourite in this group. Because Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea all are capable of defeating one another. Moreover, like with every edition, there may be some surprises and upsets in the group phase. However, all of the top-ranked teams are expected to proceed to the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16. Middle Eastern country, Qatar will host the World Cup for the first time, and everyone will be paying special attention to the tournament.
Source: United News of Bangladesh