DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi probably dealing with Robert Lewandowski, Spain undoubtedly enjoying Germany, and Luis Suarez probably handed one other sport in opposition to outdated foe Ghana.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 US, 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 should not but identified. They're to be confirmed in June when the European and intercontinental playoffs end.
Kickoff occasions and stadiums for every sport will likely be determined this month. That lets FIFA allocate video games to prime broadcast slots for viewers in a workforce’s house nation.
The highest two groups within the standings of every group advance to the spherical of 16 knockout stage.
Right here is the place the groups landed for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 match:
GROUP A — Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
Host Qatar will make its World Cup debut in opposition to Ecuador on Nov. 21.
Netherlands, a three-time World Cup runner-up, will begin in opposition to Senegal, the brand new African champion.
GROUP B — England, United States, Iran, Wales or Scotland or Ukraine
England will open in opposition to Iran in a primary ever World Cup sport between the international locations. England and the U.S. will play one another of their second sport. The drew 1-1 of their 2010 group when each superior.
England’s closing sport could possibly be a derby in opposition to 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 received 2-1.
Group B groups also needs to 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 match.
GROUP C — Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski — the holders of the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Finest participant on this planet awards, respectively — are on observe to fulfill when Argentina performs Poland within the final spherical of group video games.
Argentina opens in opposition to Saudi Arabia, and Poland begins in opposition to 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 also be doable relying on the end 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 troublesome 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 crushed finalist. Canada is an intriguing and tough possibility from the lowest-ranked groups after topping its qualifying group forward of Mexico and the U.S.
Morocco will get a gaggle with two robust Europeans for back-to-back tournaments. Final time, it was Spain and Portugal.
GROUP G — Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia are shortly reunited in any case had been in the identical group in 2018. Brazil will open in opposition to Serbia, which it beat 2-0 4 years in the past.
Brazil must be among the many final groups to start out play on Nov. 24 — extra time for the squad to arrange however a extra congested 25-day program whether it is to win a document sixth title.
GROUP H — Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
Cristiano Ronaldo is on observe to open his fifth straight World Cup finals by dealing with Ghana.
The group reunites Luis Suarez and Uruguay with Ghana for the primary time since their notorious quarterfinals sport on the 2010 World Cup. Suarez was despatched off for punching away an virtually sure profitable objective for Ghana deep in further 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.