The Three Lions will meet Iran, the USA and either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine in Group B
The much anticipated draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is complete and anticipation is building rapidly toward football's most prestigious tournament. Fans from across the world can hardly wait to take it all in and that includes England fans. They are sure to be flocking to the Arab state in their droves, but many more will be watching the matches at home on TV.
All we know so far is that England will begin the tournament in Group B alongside Iran, the United States and the winners of the final European playoff (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine). Wales are through to the final of that path, having beaten Austria, and are waiting for Scotland or Ukraine to face them. The playoff semi final between the latter two has been postponed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A preliminary date has been set for that encounter on June 7, after which the winner will face Wales for the chance to join World Cup Group B.
Who will win World Cup Group B?
It's a very difficult group to call. While England will be the overwhelming favourites to win Group B, betting fans will find it tricky to predict which of the other three teams will join them in the Round of 16, especially with the unknown quantity coming from the European playoff. Iran are no slouches and the USA have an abundance of emerging young talent currently playing in Europe's top divisions and elsewhere.
England will start their campaign against Iran, who they have never faced before, on Monday 21 November. The Middle Eastern nation are ranked 21st in the FIFA world rankings and topped the Asian qualifying section for the tournament. They will be the underdogs in that match but it's by no means a foregone conclusion that England will dominate.
One interesting stat which will please England fans is that they will be starting their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament. The last time the Three Lions played on the opening day of a World Cup was in 1966, a competition they famously went on to win.
After Iran, Gareth Southgate's men will move on to face the USA on Friday 25 November. The Americans are ranked even higher in 15th place according to FIFA and boast some very exciting players in their squad. Chelsea's Christian Pulisic will be most familiar to English Premier League fans but they may also remember DeAndre Yedlin, previously of Newcastle United, and Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen. They should pose a stern test for England in game two.
England's opponents in game three are still unknown as they await the result of the final European playoff in June. They will play the winner of that on Tuesday 29 November, in a game which may or may not be crucial to their progress in the tournament.
If Harry Kane and his teammates emerge from Group B and move through the following three matches successfully, they'll play in the World Cup final on Tuesday 29 November.
How to watch England matches at the Qatar World Cup
As always, UK residents will be able to enjoy every match from the FIFA World Cup completely free on terrestrial television. State broadcaster BBC and fellow free-to-air network ITV will provide full coverage of every single fixture at the tournament, including England's three group games and any subsequent matches they may have if they get out of the group.
England's matches are almost certain to be broadcast on flagship channels BBC One and ITV1 with live streaming available on their respective streaming platforms the BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub. Replays of each match will also be available on demand after the event.
England fans will have no trouble finding and watching the Three Lions in action at the Qatar World Cup this winter.
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