An insight into some of the more expansive details stemming from England’s draw for the 2022 World Cup group stages has come to the fore on Friday evening.
The Three Lions, of course, discovered their Qatar fate a short time ago.
In a group featuring a whole host of talking points, but one which Gareth Southgate and co. will nevertheless fancy their chances of emerging from, England were pitted against the United States of America, Iran and one of home nations Wales or Scotland, should either manage to advance past Ukraine.
GROUP B
England 🏴
USA 🇺🇸
Iran 🇮🇷
Wales/Scotland/Ukraine 🏴🏴🇺🇦#FinalDraw #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/sBiXxnQ27P— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 1, 2022
So, should the Euro 2020 finalists emerge from Group B as table-toppers, who will they face in the Last-16?
This nation will come in the form of the runners-up from Group A, throwing up the possibility of a showdown with any of tournament hosts Qatar, African champions Senegal, a resurgent Netherlands or South American surprise package Ecuador.
And, from here, the path forward is likely to get even trickier.
This comes with a showdown with World Cup holders France in store, should both England and Les Bleus, as seems likely, top their groups before advancing to the competition’s quarter-finals:
England will play France in the QFs if they both win their groups and L16 ties
— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) April 1, 2022
Alternatively, a meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, unbeaten across any competition since all the way back in 2019, could too be on the cards:
England will play Argentina in the QFs if England finish 2nd their group, Argentina win their group and both sides win their L16 ties
— Ben Crellin (@BenCrellin) April 1, 2022
Iran first up
So, when will England’s endeavours at the Qatar showpiece officially be kicked into gear?
The Three Lions are slated to feature on the opening day of the first-ever winter World Cup, when they will face off with Iran on the 21st of November.
This comes just eight days after the 2022/23 Premier League campaign is currently scheduled to be brought to a halt.
England go into Group B. That means they will play on the opening day of the World Cup finals, 21 November. Means there will be just 8 days between the final round of Premier League games and England’s first match at the World Cup finals.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 1, 2022
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