FIFA World Cup draw: US to play England, Iran and probably Ukraine

Lionel Messi probably going through Robert Lewandowski, Spain undoubtedly enjoying Germany, and Luis Suarez probably handed one other recreation towards outdated foe Ghana.

The draw for the World Cup group stage arrange some intriguing prospects and can begin on Nov. 21 with host Qatar enjoying Ecuador.

England will play the United States, and each should face Iran and probably Ukraine.

A complete of 37 groups had been concerned on Friday as a result of three entries within the 32-team lineup will not be but identified. They are to be confirmed in June when the European and intercontinental playoffs end.

Kickoff instances and stadiums for every recreation shall be determined this month. That lets FIFA allocate video games to prime broadcast slots for viewers in a workforce’s house nation.

The prime two groups within the standings of every group advance to the spherical of 16 knockout stage.

Here is the place the groups landed for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 event:

GROUP A _ Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador

Host Qatar will make its World Cup debut towards Ecuador on Nov. 21.

Netherlands, a three-time World Cup runner-up, will begin towards Senegal, the brand new African champion.

GROUP B _ England, United States, Iran, Wales or Scotland or Ukraine

England will open towards Iran in a primary ever World Cup recreation between the nations. England and the U.S. will play one another of their second recreation. The drew 1-1 of their 2010 group when each superior.

England’s remaining recreation could possibly be a derby towards both of its neighbors, Wales or Scotland, or Ukraine _ these three groups are in a playoff bracket in June.

The U.S. and Iran beforehand met on the 1998 World Cup, the place the Iranians gained 2-1.

Group B groups must also begin play on Nov. 21. That offers these groups fewer days to arrange for the World Cup however builds in additional relaxation days in the event that they go deep into the event.

GROUP C _ Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski _ the holders of the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best participant on the earth awards, respectively _ are on monitor to satisfy when Argentina performs Poland within the final spherical of group video games.

Argentina opens towards Saudi Arabia, and Poland begins towards Mexico.

GROUP D _ France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru or Australia or United Arab Emirates

Defending champion France and Denmark had been in the identical group 4 years in the past and each superior to the knockout stage. In 2018, additionally they confronted Peru and Australia of their group so a three-team reunion can be attainable relying on the result of an intercontinental playoff bracket in June.

GROUP E _ Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand

2010 champion Spain will face 2014 winner Germany in a tricky group for Japan.

Costa Rica was a quarterfinalist in 2014, going deeper then than Spain, however should first get previous New Zealand in a playoff in June.

GROUP F _ Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada

Belgium was a semifinalist 4 years in the past and Croatia was the overwhelmed finalist. Canada is an intriguing and troublesome choice from the lowest-ranked groups after topping its qualifying group forward of Mexico and the U.S.

Morocco will get a gaggle with two powerful Europeans for back-to-back tournaments. Last time, it was Spain and Portugal.

GROUP G _ Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon

Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia are rapidly reunited in any case had been in the identical group in 2018. Brazil will open towards Serbia, which it beat 2-0 4 years in the past.

Brazil must be among the many final groups to begin play on Nov. 24 _ extra time for the squad to arrange however a extra congested 25-day program whether it is to win a report sixth title.

GROUP H _ Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana

Cristiano Ronaldo is on monitor to open his fifth straight World Cup finals by going through Ghana.

The group reunites Luis Suarez and Uruguay with Ghana for the primary time since their notorious quarterfinals recreation on the 2010 World Cup. Suarez was despatched off for punching away an virtually sure profitable purpose for Ghana deep in additional time. The penalty was missed and Uruguay went on to win the shootout.

Earlier within the 2010 knockout rounds, Suarez scored twice when Uruguay additionally eradicated South Korea 2-1.