The easiest and hardest groups

When the World Cup group stage draw for the 2022 match in Qatar was made again in April, it threw up some wonderful matchups.

High seeds like Brazil, England and Argentina found their opponents as groups look to say the trophy France gained in 2018 in Russia.

Which groups are staring down the barrel of a Group of Demise? Who’re already plotting their path to the ultimate from the final 16? Listed below are the simplest and hardest teams on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA world rankings – ie ‘(1)’ – are right as of 25 August 2022.

Best 2022 World Cup teams

Group A

Qatar (48), Ecuador (44), Senegal (18), the Netherlands (8)

Hosts Qatar have been in some ways the false seed in Pot 1, given they’ve a scarcity of soccer historical past and are solely ranked forty eighth on this planet.

Ecuador got here by CONMEBOL qualifying by ending within the prime 4 forward of countries like Peru, Colombia and Chile, whereas Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties in a play-off to e book their spot.

The Netherlands are the best ranked staff and are extremely fancied to take first place, although they beforehand faltered on the World Cup and did not qualify for the earlier match in Russia.

Group H

Portugal (9), Ghana (60), Uruguay (13), South Korea (28)

Having solely scraped by to the World Cup through the play-offs, each Portuguese participant and fan will need to have been giddy with delight at their World Cup draw.

The bottom-ranked aspect in Pot 1 Qatar apart drew Uruguay – a aspect they did lose to on the final World Cup – as their solely prime 20 opposition. Ghana are comfortably the lowest-ranked staff in Qatar and have solely gained one sport in 2022, whereas South Korea have not made it out of the group stage since 2010.

Portugal have numerous ageing stars who will probably be enjoying of their final World Cup, although the presence of numerous thrilling kids might energy them in the direction of the later rounds of the knockout phases.

Group D

France (4), Australia (39), Denmark (10), Tunisia (30)

France and Denmark are the heavy favourites to qualify from Group D forward of Tunisia and Australia.

Tunisia have been the bottom ranked staff in Pot 3 and Australia certified by an intercontinental play-off. The previous have by no means made it out of the group stage and the Socceroos have only one final 16 look on their CV.

It will be a significant shock if both France or Denmark missed out on the knockout phases, with each squads crammed with spectacular expertise.

Hardest 2022 World Cup teams

Group B

England (5), Iran (22), USA (14), Wales (19)

FIFA allotted a spot in Pot 4 to the winner of the UEFA play-off path that contained Ukraine, Scotland and Wales. Wales have been triumphant, that means the underside seed in Group B is ranked 18th, increased than Iran who have been in Pot 3.

England are the favourites to take prime spot in Group B as the best seeded staff, however there are solely 17 FIFA rating locations between the Three Lions and twenty second Iran.

The USA even have a big roster of thrilling younger skills to name upon in Qatar, so count on every sport on this group to be aggressive and tight.

Group E

Spain (6), Costa Rica (34), Germany (11), Japan (24)

Group E is filled with fascinating narratives. Each Spain and Germany have gained the World Cup within the final 12 years, however additionally they carried out miserably of their respective defences of the trophy, exiting on the group stage.

Any potential slip from the 2 European giants will see Japan and Costa Rica seeking to take benefit. Costa Rica topped a gaggle containing England, Uruguay and Italy again in 2014, whereas Japan have gained seven of their 11 video games in 2022.

Group G

Brazil (1), Serbia (25), Switzerland (16), Cameroon (38)

There may be a transparent favorite for first place in Group G in Brazil, however the runners-up spot will probably be keenly contested.

Serbia have been unbeaten all through qualifying and topped a gaggle together with Portugal. Abilities like Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will all be hoping to impress with a deep run within the match.

Switzerland loved a memorable run at Euro 2020, together with a penalty shootout victory over France, and have certified for each World Cup since 2002. Cameroon have been plucked from Pot 4 however loved a 3rd place end on the Africa Cup of Nations in January.