England drawn against USA

England have been drawn against USA, Iran, and the winners of the play-off between Wales and Scotland or Ukraine in Group B at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s side know they will kick-off their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before facing the United States in their second game on November 25, but their third group-stage opponents are currently unknown.

England will be up against either Scotland, Wales, or Ukraine on November 29, with that play-off path due to be settled in June due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The tournament’s opening game will see hosts Qatar face Ecuador in Al Khor on November 21. Kick-off times and venues for the remaining group-stage matches are yet to be decided.

Holders France – who could meet England in the quarter-finals, providing both sides win their groups – were drawn in Group D alongside Denmark and Tunisia, and begin their defence against the winners of Intercontinental play-off 1 – United Arab Emirates, Australia or Peru.

Meanwhile, 2010 winners Spain and 2014 winners Germany were paired against each other in Group E alongside Japan and one of Costa Rica and New Zealand – who will compete in the second Intercontinental play-off later this year.

Four-time winners Brazil have been grouped with Switzerland and Serbia, both of whom who they faced at the same stage in 2018, and Cameroon. The Selecao’s rivals Argentina were matched with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.

England drawn against USA

Louis van Gaal, who has spoken out against the decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar, will face the hosts with his Netherlands side in Group A, which also features Ecuador and Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will face Uruguay, Canada and South Korea, while Belgium – ranked second in the world – will take on Ghana, Morocco and Croatia.

2022 World Cup draw in full

  • Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
  • Group B: England, Iran, USA, European play-off*
  • Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
  • Group D: France, Intercontinental play-off 1**, Denmark, Tunisia
  • Group E: Spain, Intercontinental play-off 2***, Germany, Japan
  • Group F: Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Croatia
  • Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
  • Group H: Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, South Korea