2022 Qatar World Cup - Group B Preview


Qatar, Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal badges with red background

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will get underway this weekend, with 32 nations heading to Qatar to compete for glory.

RealSport101's Tom Young is on hand to preview the chances, tactics, and key men for all four teams competing in Group B of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Team Preview - England

Gareth Southgate's England side heads to Qatar as the hot favourites to claim the top spot in Group B, having secured a runners-up spot and a semi-final berth at their last two major tournaments.

The Three Lions made light work of their World Cup qualification group, as they put together an undefeated qualifying run, booking their place in Qatar as Group I winners.

However, it hasn't been such plain sailing since then. Southgate's men endured a torrid Nations League campaign, they failed to win a single game in Group 3 of League A, suffering relegation as a result.

One To Watch: Jude Bellingham

There are few players on the planet with a higher ceiling than Jude Bellingham and whilst talks of a big-money summer move continue to flood the back pages, there is no question as to where Bellingham's focus will be this winter.

The 19-year-old looks set to be handed a starring role in Gareth Southgate's midfield in Qatar, and after impressing for Borussia Dortmund in the early stages of the season, we expect him to shine on the biggest stage in world football.

Team Preview - Iran

Carlos Queiroz will lead Iran to a third successive World Cup this winter, with the former Portugal boss looking to lead the Asian nation into the knockout stages for the first time in its history.

Queiroz returned to the Iran hot seat in September, after leaving his post as the manager of Egypt following their failure to qualify for Qatar. Iran cruised through the qualifying stages for the competition, winning eight of their 10 qualifiers.

Iran are seen as a dark horse to qualify for the knockout stages of this year's competition, although they shouldn't be underestimated. They currently sit 20th in the FIFA World Rankings.

One To Watch: Sardar Azmoun

Iran's hopes of qualification may well lay at the feet of Bayer Leverkusen forward Sardar Azmoun, if he can return from injury in time to feature in the competition.

The 27-year-old has 41 goals in 65 appearances for his country, although he heads to Qatar as an injury doubt, after picking up a calf injury in the build-up to Leverkusen's UEFA Champions League game against Porto in October.

Team Preview - USA

The United States of America are back at the World Cup for the first time in eight years after they scrapped through as the third-placed team in the CONCACAF qualifying group.

Despite not qualifying for the 2018 edition of the competition, the USA's recent record at the World Cup makes for positive reading, having advanced to the knockout stages in both 2010 and 2014.

Buoyed by a squad that features the likes of Chelsea's Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna, the Stars and Stripes will be hopeful of progression from Group B.

One To Watch: Timothy Weah

Son of Ballon d'Or winner George, Lille forward Timothy Weah will be hoping to stamp his name in the history books when the USA takes to the field in Qatar.

The 22-year-old has been a regular feature in the USA side over the course of the last 12 months and will be one to keep a close eye on when the action gets underway.

Team Preview - Wales

Wales will head to the World Cup for the first time since 1958, and despite being one of the smallest nations heading to Qatar, there are few who would back against the Dragons causing an upset.

After all, who can forget Wales' historic 2016 European Championship performance, when the minnows from the United Kingdom headed to France and upset all the odds to reach the semi-finals?

The 2022 World Cup is likely to be the last chance for the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to flaunt their skills on the biggest stage, and we expect them to do exactly that.

One To Watch: Kieffer Moore

Whilst most will have a keen eye on Gareth Bale, we're picking Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore as our one to watch from the Welsh squad.

It is likely that Wales will look to set pieces as a key route to goal, which should bode well for the 6'4 striker to cause some havoc and get himself on the scoresheet.

Group B Prediction

  1. England
  2. USA
  3. Wales
  4. Iran

Group B Fixtures

  • England vs Iran (Monday, 21st November. 1 p.m. GMT)
  • USA vs Wales (Monday, 21st November. 7 p.m. GMT)
  • Wales vs Iran (Friday, November 25th. 10 a.m GMT)
  • England vs USA (Friday, November 25th. 7 p.m. GMT)
  • Wales vs England (Tuesday, November 29th. 7 p.m. GMT)
  • Iran vs USA (Tuesday, November 29th. 7.p.m. GMT)

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