Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Preliminary Draw - Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland - December 7, 2020 General view of the World Cup trophy during the draw. [FIFA, Kurt Schorrer, Handout via Reuters]
World champions France have been grouped in Group D alongside Ukraine, Finland, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina as they prepare to begin the long road to defending the World Cup title they won in 2018.
The World Cup 2022 qualifying draw has also seen last year’s finalists Croatia pooled in Group H alongside 2018 hosts Russia, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions (England) will take on Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino in Group I.
World Cup finals groups
READ MORE
End of the road as Rising Starlets crash out of World Cup ticket race
Crunch moment as Rising Starlets collide with Tanzania U20 in World Cup Qualifiers
Group A
Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan.
Group B
Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo.
Group C
Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania.
Group D
France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan.
Group E
Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia.
Group F
Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands, Moldova.
Group G
Holland, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar.
Group H
Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta.
Group I
England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino.
Group J
Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein.
World Cup dates
Nov 21, 2022: Opening group match
Dec 2, 2022: Last matches of the group stage
Dec 3, 4, 5, 6 2022: Round of 16
Dec 9 & 10 2022: Quarter finals
Dec 13-14 2022: Semi-finals
Dec 1, 2022: The Final
