Qatar 2022: Group B Preview
After four and a half years the 2022 World Cup is almost upon us. This edition is perhaps the most controversial ever with host nation Qatar’s human rights record and treatment of migrant workers a serious issue in the buildup. The awarding of the tournament to the Middle Eastern country meant a traditional summer World Cup was out of the question due to high temperatures spawning the first ever winter World Cup. Nevertheless the month long festival of football looks set to thrill us with some of the biggest stars in the game hoping to lead their nation to glory.
Here’s a comprehensive look at Qatar 2022’s Group B, with England, Iran, the United States and Wales looking to book their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
ENGLAND
Semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Runners-up at Euro 2020. English football fans are hoping they go one step further in Qatar.
If only it were that simple.
England have taken huge strides at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate. Their semi-final appearance in Russia was their first since 1990 and only their second since 1966. Their subsequent run to the final of European Championship was unprecedented.
But the optimism generated during those tournaments has somewhat faded over the last year, the atmosphere around the national team turning toxic during the four-game winless run at the end of last season which culminated in a 4-0 thrashing by Hungary.
England have issues. In defence, there are injury problems and major question marks over personnel, with Southgate seemingly reluctant to deviate from old favourites struggling for form. Up front, there is too much reliance on Harry Kane for goals.
Still, though, they should not be discounted. They have been handed a relatively favourable route into the knockout stages in Group B and, provided they make it that far, their recent experience of going deep at tournaments should serve them well.
Southgate’s squad, while not without its flaws, is also replete with talent. In Kane, they will have one of the best strikers in Qatar. There is guile and creativity behind him too. Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham are all older, wiser and, hopefully, better.
Southgate’s critics still question whether he is the right man to get the best out of that attacking talent. They say he still has something to prove when it comes to overcoming top opposition in the biggest games.
But he has already taken England further than any of his most recent predecessors and that in itself should offer hope. England may be imperfect, but they head into the tournament as contenders.
England’s major tournament campaigns under Gareth Southgate have been built on defensive solidity.
In Russia four years ago, they reached the last four using a back three and nicking goals off set pieces. At the Euros last summer, the system varied but the defensive emphasis remained, with only two goals conceded in seven games on the run to the final.
Keep it tight at the back and capitalise on the scoring chances when they come. It’s the Southgate blueprint but many supporters are now eager to see more adventurousness.
It seems unlikely Southgate will change his approach given how far it has got England at the last two tournaments but what’s certain is the defensive players he previously relied upon are no longer so reliable.
Harry Maguire and John Stones have spent most of this season on the sidelines. Kyle Walker, like Reece James, has suffered an ill-timed injury ahead of the tournament.
Suddenly, England’s lack of defensive depth has been exposed, and those players on the fringes of the side – Conor Coady, and Ben White to name a few – head into the tournament with only modest experience.
We will soon see if Southgate has been too hesitant in renewing his defence but we already know he has some thrilling options further forward. Many feel he should prioritise maximising that talent.
Kane remains the figurehead but he is not the only player heading into the tournament in fine form. Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have been two of the Premier League’s outstanding performers this season. At times, Mason Mount has been similarly impressive.
With Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also in contention, Southgate has a fearsome array of attacking weapons. The challenge is to use them in the most effective way possible. Without such sturdy defensive foundations, Southgate may need to get more out of his attacking players.
Player to watch: Jude Bellingham
Could this be Jude Bellingham’s time? The midfielder became the youngest player to feature for England at a major tournament when he came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2020 aged 17 years and 349 days old, going on to play a total of 56 minutes on their run to the final.
This time, he will hope to figure much more prominently.
Bellingham has accrued invaluable experience over the course of the last year, both internationally, winning 15 caps in total, and at club level, where his importance to Borussia Dortmund has continued to grow.
Bellingham started all but two of Dortmund’s 34 Bundesliga games last season and he is yet to miss a game in the new campaign, his performances attracting interest from Liverpool and prompting Dortmund to place an eye-watering £130m price-tag on his head.
Gareth Southgate might just find it impossible to overlook him in Qatar. Declan Rice is of course a guaranteed starter, while Kalvin Phillips is deemed similarly important in his midfield.
But Phillips will not be coming into the tournament anywhere near as well prepared as Bellingham due to his lack of playing time and that could demand a re-think.
Recent evidence suggests Bellingham will be ready to seize his chance. He is still a teenager having only turned 19 in June but his burgeoning talent, and his combination of physical and technical prowess, could make him crucial for England this winter.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope.
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Ben White, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, James Maddison.
Fixtures:
- November 21st v Iran
- November 25th v United States
- November 29th v Wales
IRAN
Iran return to the World Cup stage for a third tournament in succession – and for the third time in a row former Man Utd assistant boss Carlos Queiroz is in charge.
That seemed an unlikely scenario when he stepped down after 100 games in charge of the country in 2019 but after unsuccessful World Cup qualifying stints in charge of both Colombia and Egypt the Portuguese will be in Qatar himself after returning to manage Iran in September.
Former boss Dragan Skocic oversaw an impressive qualifying campaign, with Iran topping their third qualifying group ahead of South Korea, and Queiroz will be aiming to maintain that momentum in a bid to back-up an encouraging effort in Russia four years ago.
Back then, Queiroz’s Iran beat Morocco, drew with Portugal and lost 1-0 to Spain, missing out on a first knockout stage appearance by one point. They will be the least fancied of the Group B sides – but have the potential to spring a surprise.
The focus, though, will not just be about matters on the field. During Iran’s September fixtures there were protests in the stands and a show of solidarity from the players with people in their homeland demonstrating against the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody that month after being charged for wearing a headscarf improperly.
Widely-seen as the underdogs in the group of England, USA and Wales, Iran have provided enough examples for those willing to look closely that they could cause an upset or two in Qatar.
While England and Wales were relegated in the Nations League in their final fixtures before the World Cup and USA’s far-from-convincing preparations closed with a defeat to Japan and goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, Queiroz’s Iran defeated Uruguay 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal.
In both games Iran recorded fewer shots, less possession and spent plenty of time on the back foot but their defensive resolve was notable – as was their ability to seize their occasional openings at the other end, with Mehdi Taremi underlining his threat with the winner against Uruguay.
Expect Queiroz to employ a similar approach at the World Cup, aiming to keep the opposition at bay before capitalising on the break through former Brighton forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh or using the aerial ability of Bayer Leverkusen’s Sardar Azmoun.
If England, USA or Wales do not use the ball effectively when they have it, they could well be caught out by this underrated Iranian side.
Player to watch:Mehdi Taremi
With 28 goals from 60 caps, it’s no secret Iran will be looking to Porto forward Mehdi Taremi for inspiration in Qatar.
Chances are likely to be few and far between for the Group B underdogs but the 30-year-old, who scored 20 times as Porto won Primeira Liga last season, has shown he has the ability to take the opportunities which fall his way – although a bad miss against Portugal four years ago proved costly.
Taremi’s falling out with Skocic played a part in the Croat’s late departure from his role in charge of Iran ahead of this World Cup and the frontman will be eager to show it was wrong of his former boss to leave him out and make up for that miss in Russia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Amir Abedzadeh, Hossein Hosseini and Payam Niazmand.
Defenders: Majid Hosseini, Hossein Kanaani, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Morteza Pouraliganji, Sadegh Moharrami, Milad Mohammadi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Ramin Rezaeian and Abolfazl Jalali.
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Ali Karimi, Ahmad Nourollahi, Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Vahid Amiri.
Forwards: Saman Goddos, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Torabi, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi and Karim Ansarifard.
Fixtures:
- November 21st v England
- November 25th v Wales
- November 29th v United States
USA
The USA entered World Cup qualification as the second top-ranked CONCACAF side and edged into the final guaranteed World Cup spot, finishing behind Canada and Mexico.
That could be considered relatively underwhelming, with Canada and Costa Rica both beating the States during qualification in this calendar year – but making the final 32 makes amends for missing out on the 2018 World Cup entirely.
In Qatar, Gregg Berhalter’s side have been drawn with England, Wales and Iran and will fancy their chances of progressing to the round of 16 as the second-ranked side in Group B.
Squad members who ply their trade on British soil include Matt Turner, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Ream, Ethan Horvath and Josh Sargent.
Pulisic is the headline name up top, but Borussia Dortmund youngster Gio Reyna and Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie also provide serious pedigree.
The USA possess youth, trickery and mettle throughout the side – boosted from regular game time handed to Adams and Aaronson by American Leeds manager Jesse Marsch.
The Yorkshire side have struggled in recent weeks but were lauded for their relentless pressing style earlier this term.
Adams acts as Leeds’ primary destroyer in the centre of the park, excelling at reclaiming possession and winning 50/50 duels before setting his side off in possession – while also providing a creative threat on goal.
Meanwhile, Aaronson is also a key member of Leeds’ pressing unit from the front – but his speed and trickery could also win free-kicks in dangerous areas. With 21 caps at just 21 years of age, and 11 appearances during the qualification campaign, the attacker looks set to play a major part in Qatar.
Player to watch: Christian Pulisic
Dubbed Captain America in his homeland, Pulisic rose to stardom at Borussia Dortmund before making a £57.6m switch to Chelsea in 2019.
The forward was widely considered to be the signature signing to replace Eden Hazard – who had left Stamford Bridge after seven successful years at the club that same summer to join Real Madrid in a £130m blockbuster deal.
The youngster appeared to show glimpses of Hazard-esque magic and hit several hot streaks of form, but injuries hampered regular first-team runouts and the American has been largely a bit-part player over the previous three full seasons.
Speculation over his future grew louder this summer as the player reportedly sought more game time ahead of the World Cup, but he remains a Chelsea player.
New Blues boss Graham Potter tested the 24-year-old in his first games in charge, with the American notching two goal involvements from just 78 minutes in those games, so the American could still secure a future at Stamford Bridge.
Pulisic has the skill and tenacity to bamboozle opposition defences and looks set to headline a fluid, skilful and rapid front line alongside the likes of Reyna and Aaronson.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Ethan Horvath
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Joshua Sargent, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright
Fixtures:
- November 21st v Wales
- November 25th v England
- November 29th v Iran
WALES
Wales secured their first World Cup in 64 years after beating Ukraine in a play-off knockout thanks to an own goal diverted from a Gareth Bale free-kick – having finished second in their qualifying group behind Belgium.
In fact, Wales have only one previous World Cup showing under their belts – reaching the quarter-finals in 1958. To add even greater gravitas, Rob Page’s men have been drawn in Group B – alongside home nation rivals England in Qatar.
The Welsh recorded several impressive results en-route to the tournament, holding Belgium to a 1-1 draw in November last year, beating Belarus and registering one win and a draw across two run-outs with the Czech Republic.
The Dragons collected 15 points from eight group games in Group E, winning four, drawing three and losing only once – a 3-1 defeat to Belgium in March last year, who ranked top in the FIFA World Rankings at the time.
All eyes turn to their talisman Gareth Bale, but several fellow past-and-present Premier League stars clocked squad-topping game time during qualifying, including Aaron Ramsey, Dan James, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, Neco Williams and Kieffer Moore.
All the talk might be of Bale and Ramsey, or Moore’s aerial threat, but the bedrock of Wales’ success during qualification was their defensive solidity.
Of the five nations in Group E, Wales ranked fourth for goals from open play, shots on target and chances created over the eight games – but ranked second for keeping goals out and clean sheets at the other end.
The old adage says defensive systems reap rewards in tournament football, and so Page is likely to deliver a similar message in Qatar, deploying his preferred three-at-the-back formations and looking to remain rock solid in central areas to prevent turnovers and breakaways.
Joe Allen has remained a key man in that area – only Dan James clocked more minutes during qualification, with defenders Rodon, Davies, Ethan Ampadu and Chris Mepham tasked with snuffing out danger – while Danny Ward – now No 1 at Leicester after Kasper Schmeichel left the club – will be looking to maintain his impressive ratios from qualification.
Player to watch: Gareth Bale
Time and again, the ‘Welsh wizard’ has pulled a moment of quality out of nothing in national colours, and the 33-year-old was unsurprisingly instrumental in the build-up to the own goal against Ukraine – which saw Wales book their ticket to Qatar.
There were rumours Bale would hang up his boots after Euro 2020, but the former Tottenham man later reiterated his desire to reach a World Cup – and his dream was realised merely one year later.
Bale etched himself among Galactico hall of fame when Real Madrid splashed a world-record £85.3m to prise the forward from Spurs back in 2013. An injury-plagued nine-year stint with Los Blancos saw the winger’s time at the club whimper out.
But a loan spell back at Tottenham in 2020/21 revealed flashes of his former self, while his power and brilliance has failed to falter over the years when representing his country.
Bale joined MLS side Los Angeles FC this summer but has only amassed two starts and 369 minutes during the 2022 regular season, making 11 substitute appearances and scoring three goals – netting a 128th-minute equaliser in the MLS Cup final as a substitute, with his side proceeding to win the shoot-out.
But the Welshman was born for the world stage and his World Cup dream is finally realised in the twilight of his career.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies
Defenders: Ben Davies, Ben Cabango, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts
Midfielders: Sorba Thomas, Joe Allen, Matthew Smith, Dylan Levitt, Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Rubin Colwill
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James
Fixtures:
- November 21st v United States
- November 25th v Iran
- November 29th v England
