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 glorious matchups.

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

Which groups are staring down the barrel of a Group of Death? Who are already plotting their path to the ultimate from the final 16? Here are the easiest and hardest groups on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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

Easiest 2022 World Cup groups

Group A

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

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

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

The Netherlands are the very 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 means of to the World Cup by way of the play-offs, each Portuguese participant and fan should have been giddy with delight at their World Cup draw.

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

Portugal have quite a few ageing stars who will probably be taking part in of their final World Cup, although the presence of quite a few 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 had been the bottom ranked staff in Pot 3 and Australia certified by means of an intercontinental play-off. The former have by no means made it out of the group stage and the Socceroos have only one final 16 look on their CV.

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

Hardest 2022 World Cup groups

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 had been triumphant, that means the underside seed in Group B is ranked 18th, larger than Iran who had been in Pot 3.

England are the favourites to take high spot in Group B as the very 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 anticipate every recreation on this group to be aggressive and tight.

Group E

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

Group E is stuffed with fascinating narratives. Both Spain and Germany have gained the World Cup within the final 12 years, however in addition 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 had been unbeaten all through qualifying and topped a gaggle together with Portugal. Talents 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 had been plucked from Pot 4 however loved a 3rd place end on the Africa Cup of Nations in January.