The World Cup groups are set, now the real wait begins.
Friday’s draw put an end to 24 hours of speculation and Group of Death nightmare scenarios, but now Team Melli may be looking at the most formidable group.
Eight former players and managers conducted the draw, with these being: Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Tim Cahill (Australia), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (Iran), Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico) and Rabah Madjer (Algeria).
After drawing England, who it faced in the 2010 World Cup, Team Melli will also face the USA and the winner of the European playoff between Wales and either Ukraine or Scotland. England, the former World Cup winner some generations ago in 1966, is the favorite of the group and the team to beat. while a potential Wales appearance would add Gareth Bale and the No. 18 team in the FIFA rankings to the group.
GROUP A
- Qatar
- Ecuador
- Senegal
- Netherlands
GROUP B
- England
- Iran
- United States
- European Playoff (Wales vs. Ukraine/Scotland)
If there was an ultra-tough group for the Asian teams, must have sympathy with Saudi Arabia as they will be facing Drawn in Group C
GROUP C
- Argentina
- Saudi Arabia
- Mexico
- Poland
GROUP D
- France
- Intercontinental Playoff 1 (Peru vs. UAE/Australia)
- Tunisia
- Denmark
GROUP E
- Spain
- Intercontinental Playoff 2 (Costa Rica vs. New Zealand)
- Germany
- Japan
GROUP F
- Belgium
- Canada
- Morocco
- Croatia
GROUP G
- Brazil
- Serbia
- Switzerland
- Cameroon
GROUP H
- Portugal
- Ghana
- Uruguay
- Korea Republic
For the final time, eight groups made up of four teams each were drawn. In 2022, World Cup expands to 48 teams, making this a truly special occasion.
Only 29 of the 32 teams are currently known but the final three playoff matchups are all known. Along with the final European qualifier in Group B, one intercontinental playoff, Peru will face the winner of the United Arab Emirates vs. Australia AFC playoff; in the other, Costa Rica will face New Zealand. Those games will take place in June.
The 2022 World Cup begins Nov. 21 and ends with the final in Lusail on Dec. 18.