All About The 2022 World Cup: Ghana In Group H
long awaited day has arrived—the World Cup draw is finally here.
The World Cup pots have been determined by the latest FIFA World Cup rankings, with the top seven nations being placed in Pot 1 along with host nation Qatar. Teams from the same confederation cannot be placed in the same group with the exception of European teams (five groups will have two European teams).
Here are the draw pots:
Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia
Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, Korea Republic, Tunisia
Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, CONMEBOL-AFC playoff winner (Peru vs. UAE/Australia), Concacaf-Oceania playoff winner (Costa Rica vs. New Zealand), European playoff winner (Wales vs. Ukraine/Scotland)
GROUP A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
Senegal and the Netherlands will likely be the favorites to advance from this group, but there is a high chance of chaos with Ecuador and the home nation also liking their chances compared to where else they could have lan.
Group B
England
Iran
United States
European Playoff (Wales vs. Ukraine/Scotland)
The good news for the United States national team is that it avoids facing a top seed in the round of 16 (winner or runner up from Qatar’s group), if it can advance to the knockout stages. The bad news is that a potential matchup with Wales, ranked 18th in the FIFA world rankings, waits in the wings if Gareth Bale and co. can win its June playoff. Wales’s appearance would likely make this the Group of Death.
GROUP C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
This is already turning out to be one of the most formidable groups, and a clear potential Group of Death candidate. Robert Lewandowski vs. Lionel Messi is sure to intrigue, while Mexico and Poland will be expected to fight over that second spot.
GROUP D
France
Intercontinental Playoff 1 (Peru vs. UAE/Australia)
Tunisia
Denmark
This looks good for defending World Cup champion France. It shared a group with Denmark in 2018 (as well as Peru and Australia). Tunisia was considered one of the weaker, if not the weakest, Pot 3 team. Will the World Cup winner curse strike again?
GROUP E
Spain
Intercontinental Playoff 2 (Costa Rica vs. New Zealand)
Germany
Japan
Spain and Germany also gives this Group of Death potential. And while it’s not Serbia or Senegal, Japan could arguably be one of the tougher Pot 3 teams. However, the addition of one of the intercontinental playoffs takes some of the spice away from this group.
GROUP F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
Belgium were leapfrogged by Brazil for the top spot in the FIFA world rankings, but this group will do very nicely for the 2018 semifinalists. Despite its Pot 4 placing, Canada should also be excited about its chances with Croatia looking like its biggest rival for the other knockout spot.
GROUP G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
The pairings are quite uncanny considering that Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland also shared a group in 2018. Those three times will be expected to wrestle over the two knockout spots while Cameroon may be fighting an uphill battle.
GROUP H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
Korea Republic
Portugal was the final team into Pot 1 but looks to have its hands full with Ghana coming out of Pot 4. Meanwhile, one must remember that a fiery Uruguayan side eliminated Portugal in the round of 16 in 2018.
