World Cup 2022: England expects after group draw in Qatar

While Gareth Southgate would not want to admit it publicly, the England manager must have been pleased with the Three Lions’ draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

England avoid heavyweight showdown

Having been drawn against the USA, Iran and one of the qualifiers of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, England moved to 8 in our market to win the World Cup later this year. The Three Lions managed to avoid facing another heavyweight of the competition and will be firm favourites to finish top of their group this winter.

Should one of Wales or Scotland progress to the major tournament in Qatar, there will be the added spice of a “Battle of Britain” in Group B.

Tottenham's Harry Kane set to lead England in Qatar this winter

All eyes on Spain v Germany

Arguably the biggest fixture in the pool stages will be Spain taking on Germany in Al Bayt on November 27. This clash between two European heavyweights and former winners of the competition will attract plenty of interest and it will be intriguing to see who comes out on top with their contrasting styles of play.

Following the draw, which sees Japan and qualifiers Costa Rica or New Zealand join the group, Spain are at 8 to win the World Cup, with Germany at 9.6.

France the big movers

France were the biggest movers in our market as they came in from 8 to win the tournament to 6.2 after the group draw was completed. The reigning champions will also fancy their chances of topping the group comfortably, as they were drawn against Denmark, Tunisia and one of the three qualifiers UAE, Australia or Peru.

After falling short in the European Championships last summer with defeat to Switzerland in the last 16, Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps and his star-studded side might well feel like they have a point to prove in Qatar.

Work for Brazil to do

It’s five-time world champions Brazil who remain the favourites in our market to lift the trophy later this year. The Brazilians have waited 20 years since their last World Cup title and this could be the last tournament for star forward Neymar.

The 30-year-old has suggested his time with the national side is approaching an end and there will be plenty of attention once again on the Paris Saint-Germain attacker. Brazil will require their stars to be on top form as they have been handed some tricky games in the group stages.

The Samba Boys will have to face a Switzerland side that reached the quarter-finals of the last European Championships, only to be beaten on penalties by Spain. Meanwhile Serbia and Cameroon will also provide their own challenges for Brazil in a group that could see some potential upsets in Qatar.

The draw on April 1 did little to change Brazil’s odds of winning the tournament, with the South American giants going from 6.8 to 7 to lift the prestigious trophy for a sixth time in their illustrious history.

Full World Cup 2022 Draw:

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea