World Cup 2022: England draw Iran and USA - and wait on Wales, Scotland or Ukraine

[muriel_volestrangler]

England were handed a favourable draw for the 2022 World Cup as they were paired with United States and Iran. Scotland or Wales will join them in Group B if they qualify through the playoffs.

Gareth Southgate’s side will face Iran – whom they have never met at senior level – in their first match on 21 November before another World Cup meeting with the USA on 25 November. Their final match on 29 November will be against the qualifiers from the remaining European spot that is still to be determined, with Scotland and Wales in contention with Ukraine.

Scotland’s playoff was originally scheduled for 24 March but was postponed last month after Russia invaded Ukraine. The tie is due to take place in June, with the winners facing Wales in Cardiff.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/01/world-cup-2022-england-draw-iran-usa-scotland-ukraine-wales

And it's in Qatar. Well, that's a lot of geopolitical fun ...

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

[Celerity]

1. shame that all 3 (Scotland/Wales/Ukraine) cannot make it. Imagine England in a group consisting

of

England

USA

Wales

Scotland

6000 years (back to the dawn of Neolithic times there, although in theory you could go back to Palaeolithic times, close to 900,000 to a million years ago, but that is really pushing things out to include non modern homo sapiens, and also with no really organised large groups, like you saw when the Neolithic started) of intra-British Isles wars

(plus the 2 wars with the US), lolol

[peacebuzzard]

2. has this group decision not been determined yet? the Scotland/Wales/Ukraine?

Ukraine team still on?

[Celerity]

3. Not sorted yet, Scotland v Ukraine match was postponed. The winner plays Wales for the last WC berth

Ukraine star pleads for second Scotland clash delay as Taras Stepanenko begs UEFA to see sense

Stepanenko says Ukraine don't want to be seen as "victims" and will face Scotland in June if they have to.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ukraine-star-pleads-second-scotland-26617900



Taras Stepanenko says Ukraine will face Scotland in June if UEFA says they have to. But he's urged the governing body to see sense and allow them a second delay to the World Cup qualifier so they can build match fitness. The warn-torn nation have begun stepping up preparations for their trip to Hampden which has been put back to June.

Their FA president and manager have moved to set up friendlies against domestic opposition with Manchester United and Arsenal among those asked to step in to help them prepare. The winner of Scotland vs Ukraine would face Wales in the playoff final for a place in the Qatar finals where they would face England, USA and Iran.

However, Shakhtar Donetsk star Stepanenko, who has been capped 69 times by his country, reckons it is unrealistic for them to play Scotland in June. He pointed out: "We don't want to be known as victims here. We are strong and capable guys, everyone is fine and we can play 100%. "But the question I would ask is how can we play such an important game when you haven't played a match for such a long time?

"Every football player knows that if you recover from an injury for a long time, no matter how much you work out in the gym and do running, you go out to play football and everything is different. "The level and strength may not be enough with one match, but we will be asked to play two incredibly tough matches in maybe four days to get to the World Cup." "If there is no option then we must play. "But I think it would be extremely difficult to achieve two positive results. We are hoping FIFA and UEFA recognise this and postpone the matches to give us more time to prepare."

[peacebuzzard]

4. Thanks for this xtra bit of info

Totally correct assessment by the footballer. Hope they get the time they need.

[SKKY]

5. How do you guys think we'll do??

I've been following British Press a bit and they feel like they'll have a cakewalk through the group. I have a feeling about our group. They're young, brash, and aren't intimidated. I can see us legit beating England.

[geardaddy]

6. It's unfortunate that Wales

has to face either Ukraine or Scotland to get into Group B.

But, I will be backing Wales 100%!