The World Cup Draw, for the 2022 World Cup scheduled to hold in Qatar at the end of the year, was held on the 1st of April 2022 and there are a number of interesting matches to look forward to; Spain and Germany should be a really interesting tie and Ghana have a chance to get revenge over Uruguay as they will be facing off in Group H. France and Denmark find themselves in the same group like in the last World Cup, with Australia possibly joining them once again if they win their qualifiers.
Qatar is the only country making its debut this year while Canada returns to the competition after a 36-year absence. Some regulars will not be present as Italy failed to qualify for the 2nd World Cup in a row and Nigeria stumbled at the final hurdle in a loss to Ghana.
Germany will be hoping to make it past the group stage this year after having a World Cup to forget in 2018, while France will be hoping not to fall victim to the “Winner’s curse (for three consecutive World Cups, the previous winner has failed to make it past the group stage; Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018).
Qualification for the World Cup isn’t over yet as one of Wales, Scotland and Ukraine will be placed in Group B, with the playoffs being postponed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Elsewhere, Costa Rica and New Zealand will battle it out for a place in Group E and one of the UAE, Australia and Peru making their way into Group D.
The first match, between Qatar and Ecuador, will hold on the 21st of November, 8 days after the Premier League is suspended, with the World Cup taking place in the Winter months due to the heat in Qatar in the summer.
Ifeanyichukwu Achife