Group A was the only exception in the drawing as it had to include the host nation. Group B, along with the other six, follows the regular drawing procedures.
The 32 qualified teams are put into four pots depending on their FIFA World Ranking. Pot 1 contains Qatar, the host, and the seven highest-ranked teams. Pot 2 has the next eight highest-ranked teams, and Pot 3, has the next eight. Pot 4 has the five lowest-ranked teams, as well as three spots open for teams that have yet to qualify.
All eight groups will have one team from each pot. Teams from the same confederation cannot be in the same group except for UEFA. Five out of the eight groups will have two teams from UEFA.
These were the pots from which the groups were made:
Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, United States, Croatia
Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia
Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, EUEFA playoff winner (Wales), CONMEBOL-AFC playoff winner (Australia), CONCACAF-OFC playoff winner (Costa Rica)
Here is how Group B turned out:
Group B and players to watch on each team:
- England ranked 5th
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)
- Harry Kane (Tottenham)
- Iran ranked 22nd
- Mehdi Taremi (Porto)
- Ehsan Haji Safi (AEK Athens)
- Sardar Azmoun (Bayern Leverkusen)
- USA ranked 14th
- Giovanni (Gio) Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
- Weston McKinnie (Juventus)
- Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
- Wales ranked 19th
- Ethan Ampadu (Spezia)
- Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth)
- Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC)
England is by far the favorite to make it out of the group in the top spot. They made it to the finals of the Euro this year, falling short to Italy, who failed to qualify for this World Cup.
England is bringing the best squad they have had since they won the tournament back in 1966 when they had legendary keeper Gordon Banks as well as captain Bobby Moore, who was quoted by Pelé as “the greatest defender I ever played against.” I think England will be a threat to anyone who has to face them.
The USA is favored to make it out after England, having what many people think is the best squad in USA’s history. The Yanks are in good hands under captain Christian Pulisic. I think their one potential weakness is going to be their playing style.
Right now, the US is being coached to play an American style of soccer, which makes sense for an American team, however, 66% of the 26-man roster play in European leagues where the style is different, and the quality of soccer is definitively higher. I think if the US works on honing their style to that of the European squad members, something they should be able to do with ease thanks to their European league play experience, they will have a real shot at going far in the tournament.
Wales is typically an underdog in soccer, and in this Group that still applies. Gareth Bale will be leading the team and has been performing well lately for the MSL side LAFC. I think that they do have a better chance than Iran lucking out and sneaking into the knockout round if one of the two favorites were to slip up.
Iran will be taking part in only their sixth-ever appearance in a World Cup and will be looking to make it out of the group for the first time. It will certainly be a challenge, but if there is a group to do it in, this is it. The USA is a tough team to analyze simply because it’s more about their mindset than the quality of their players. For Wales, it mainly depends on how well Bale does and if he can inspire the rest of the team. If Iran can get into the heads of the USA and play Wales at a time when they are looking deflated, or Bale is not at his best, I think they might have a small chance at making it into the next round.
Check out the next article in futbolhijo.com for a breakdown and analysis of Group C.
Photo: Christian Pulisic, Shutterstock, by MDI, ID: 1276171765
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