As the dust continues to settle on the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, here is an in-depth analysis of all eight groups set to compete in Qatar.
Whilst teams like Netherlands, England, France and Belgium can look forward to easy-looking groups, there are still plenty of tricky groups like Groups C, E and G where anything could happen.
This tournament therefore could throw up surprises especially with several groups containing strong teams capable of fighting for the runner-up positions, let alone top spots which adds extra intrigue as to how each group could unfold.
Now here is an in-depth analysis of each group complete with predictions as to who I believe could advance from the group.
Group A – Ecuador, Netherlands, Qatar and Senegal
| Date | Match | Time (AST)* |
| Monday 21 November | Senegal v Netherlands | 1:00pm |
| Monday 21 November | Qatar v Ecuador | 7:00pm |
| Friday 25 November | Qatar v Senegal | 4:00pm |
| Friday 25 November | Netherlands v Ecuador | 7:00pm |
| Tuesday 29 November | Ecuador v Senegal | 6:00pm |
| Tuesday 29 November | Netherlands v Qatar | 6:00pm |
*AST timings are local timings in Qatar (GMT+3).
On paper, Group A looks like it is both the Netherlands and Senegal’s to lose because I just can’t see Qatar having the ability to trouble either team or even Ecuador, unless Qatar somehow can raise their game and use home advantage to maximum effect.
Netherlands though should really cruise through this group given their star-studded talent from Virgil Van Dijk to Georgino Wijnaldum and even Memphis Depay to boot, so I am expecting the Oranje to enjoy a successful return to the World Cup in the Group Stage at least.
Senegal meanwhile are my second favourites to advance because they should easily beat Qatar but how they fare could depend on their performances against Netherlands and Ecuador, although I do believe that they will have enough to scrape through as runners-up.
Group A Prediction: Netherlands and Senegal to advance to Round of 16
Group B – England, Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Monday 21 November | England v Iran | 4:00pm |
| Monday 21 November | USA v Wales | 10:00pm |
| Friday 25 November | Wales v Iran | 1:00pm |
| Friday 25 November | England v USA | 10:00pm |
| Tuesday 29 November | Wales v England | 10:00pm |
| Tuesday 29 November | Iran v USA | 10:00pm |
Looking at Group B, this is England’s group to lose because I expect them to comfortably clear Iran and possibly even USA if they’re at their best, whilst it is tricky to predict their final opposition at present but if it’s Wales or Ukraine then Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions should cruise through.
As for the Group B runners-up, it could be a closely fought contest because Iran can’t be underestimated at any peril after their 2018 antics, whilst USA surely have to target the Round of 16 as a realistic target but their recent form away from America has been pretty rocky.
As for whoever qualifies out of Wales/Scotland or Ukraine, if they get at least one win from their first two matches then England might just help them out in their final group match, especially if it’s Wales or Scotland so those final group matches could be interesting.
I though can’t see past England as Group B winners but if Wales or Scotland qualify, I reckon that they might just have the edge over Iran and USA but it could definitely go right down to smaller aspects like goals scored to decide the runner-up spot.
Group B Prediction: England plus Wales/Scotland/Ukraine to advance
Group C – Argentina, Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Tuesday 22 November | Argentina v Saudi Arabia | 1:00pm |
| Tuesday 22 November | Mexico v Poland | 7:00pm |
| Saturday 26 November | Poland v Saudi Arabia | 4:00pm |
| Saturday 26 November | Argentina v Mexico | 10:00pm |
| Wednesday 30 November | Poland v Argentina | 10:00pm |
| Wednesday 30 November | Saudi Arabia v Mexico | 10:00pm |
Group C definitely should be interesting because I think it is safe to discount Saudi Arabia from contention to qualify for the knockout stages.
I consequently feel like Argentina, Mexico and Poland will pick up three easy points against Saudi Arabia but as for which two advance, it is going to realistically boil down to how they perform against each other once kick-off is underway.
Those three teams also possess quality strikers in Lionel Messi, Raul Jimenez and Robert Lewandowski so I expect tactics and goals to come into play, especially if two of those three teams finish level on points but Argentina and Poland surely must fancy their chances given their quality.
Group C Prediction: Argentina and Poland to advance
Group D – Australia/UAE/Peru, Denmark, France and Tunisia
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Tuesday 22 November | Denmark v Tunisia | 4:00pm |
| Tuesday 22 November | France v Australia | 10:00pm |
| Saturday 26 November | Tunisia v Australia | 1:00pm |
| Saturday 26 November | France v Denmark | 7:00pm |
| Wednesday 30 November | Australia v Denmark | 6:00pm |
| Wednesday 30 November | Tunisia v France | 6:00pm |
On paper, this should be an easy group for France to get out of and end the hoodoo surrounding reigning champions so I expect them to advance too.
Denmark also have to be firm favourites to advance given their improved quality and Euro 2020 exploits but with Australia now qualified via the play-offs, the Danes might just find themselves in a scrap if they fail to beat Tunisia who really look unlikely to advance.
Group D Prediction: France and Denmark to advance
Group E – Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan and Spain
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Wednesday 23 November | Germany v Japan | 4:00pm |
| Wednesday 23 November | Spain v Costa Rica | 7:00pm |
| Sunday 27 November | Japan v Costa Rica | 1:00pm |
| Sunday 27 November | Spain v Germany | 10:00pm |
| Thursday 1 December | Japan v Spain | 10:00pm |
| Thursday 1 December | Costa Rica v Germany | 10:00pm |
On paper, Germany and Spain should be red-hot favourites to advance but with Costa Rica now qualified, this could be a difficult group to escape where all three clashes against Japan could be crucial in deciding who advances.
Japan though are consistent in their World Cup eliminations in rotating between Group Stage and Round of 16 exits, with this tournament likely to represent a fourth Group Stage elimination after they lost in the Round of 16 in Russia.
We however shouldn’t rule out the Japanese springing a surprise but my gut instinct says that Spain and Germany should advance.
Group E Prediction: Spain and Germany to advance
Group F – Belgium, Canada, Croatia and Morocco
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Wednesday 23 November | Morocco v Croatia | 1:00pm |
| Wednesday 23 November | Belgium v Canada | 10:00pm |
| Sunday 27 November | Belgium v Morocco | 4:00pm |
| Sunday 27 November | Croatia v Canada | 7:00pm |
| Thursday 1 December | Croatia v Belgium | 6:00pm |
| Thursday 1 December | Canada v Morocco | 6:00pm |
Having finished third and second respectively at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Belgium and Croatia surely have to be thrilled with this group, where they both surely know that qualification for the knockout stage can be finalised before the final group matches.
If that is the case then their clash in the final round of group matches should be very interesting, especially because both are likely to face difficult Round of 16 ties if Spain and Germany both advance from Group E.
As for Canada and Morocco, I just can’t see either team doing enough to snatch a knockout place although Canada would be the most likeliest out of those two teams if they can add more experience to their young-looking squad.
Group F Prediction: Belgium and Croatia to advance
Group G – Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Thursday 24 November | Switzerland v Cameroon | 1:00pm |
| Thursday 24 November | Brazil v Serbia | 10:00pm |
| Monday 28 November | Cameroon v Serbia | 1:00pm |
| Monday 28 November | Brazil v Switzerland | 7:00pm |
| Friday 2 December | Serbia v Switzerland | 10:00pm |
| Friday 2 December | Cameroon v Brazil | 10:00pm |
All this group is missing is Costa Rica and we would have a full group rematch of Group E from the 2018 tournament.
Brazil though are my initial favourites because they look incredibly strong, especially with Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha likely to lead their attack which makes them a dangerous prospect to face in Qatar.
As for the runners-up position, I don’t see Cameroon being any threat which leaves Serbia and Switzerland who should both beat Cameroon, which could set up a tense showdown as they meet in their final group match where the winner would sneak through if there is a result.
Should Serbia and Switzerland however both beat Cameroon and draw their final group match against each other, it could well boil down to their performances against Brazil as to who advances which could suit Serbia if Aleksandr Mitrovic is in form and can trouble Brazil.
Group G Prediction: Brazil and Serbia to advance
Group H – Ghana, Korea Republic, Portugal and Uruguay
| Date | Match | Time (AST) |
| Thursday 24 November | Uruguay v Korea Republic | 4:00pm |
| Thursday 24 November | Portugal v Ghana | 7:00pm |
| Monday 28 November | Korea Republic v Ghana | 4:00pm |
| Monday 28 November | Portugal v Uruguay | 10:00pm |
| Friday 2 December | Ghana v Uruguay | 6:00pm |
| Friday 2 December | Korea Republic v Portugal | 6:00pm |
On first instinct, Portugal and Uruguay should both safely advance but Korea Republic shouldn’t be ruled out because they do possess a solid squad who could cause some difficulties if Portugal and Uruguay aren’t at their best.
Ghana though just don’t look like a team who would be capable to advancing beyond this stage, but should still provide Korea Republic, Portugal and Uruguay with decent matches though if they don’t roll over.
I however am struggling to see past Portugal and Uruguay both advancing to the Round of 16 no matter what surprises Korea Republic may throw their way.
Group H Prediction: Portugal and Uruguay to advance
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