The draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stages has been made, and to be honest, it's a bit underwhelming.
While we were all dreaming of a group of death or two, there hasn't been a whole lot to shout about. Germany vs Spain is the standout meeting at that stage of the competition, while Group G consisting of Brazil, Switzerland, Cameroon, and Serbia is the most difficult looking group.
England will be delighted with their draw, being paired alongside USA, Iran, and one of Scotland/Ukraine/Wales. They will be heavy favourites to top that group.
The #FIFAWorldCup groups are set 🤩
We can't wait! 🏆#FinalDraw pic.twitter.com/uaDfdIvbaZ— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2022
However, things will get a lot trickier for Gareth Southgate's side from that point on.
They have had very favourable runs in the knockout stages of the last two favourable tournaments. In the 2018 World Cup, they only had to beat Colombia and Sweden to reach the semi-final, which they lost to Croatia. At last year's Euros, they played an out of sorts Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark before losing the final to Italy.
It is highly unlikely they will have such a route on this occasion.
Should they top the the group as expected, England will face the runner-ups of Group A. That is likely to be either Senegal or The Netherlands, two sides capable of beating anyone on their day.
The English would likely be favourites for that tie, but the quarter-final could be a different story. Awaiting them there is very likely to be one of France, who are likely to meet either Poland or Mexico as one the runner-ups of their group behind Argentina.
Should they overcome the French, they would most likely be looking at a semi-final against one of Belgium, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Serbia, or Switzerland, depending on how the previous rounds play out.
On current form, that looks most likely to be one of Belgium, Spain, or Germany.
To summarise, here is England's most likely path in the knockout rounds.
- Last 16: Netherlands/Senegal
- Quarter-final: France
- Semi-final: Germany/Spain/Belgium/Portugal/Switzerland/Serbia
While that can change a bit depending on how the tournament shakes out, it is clear this tournament will not provide the sort of favourable route that England have benefitted from in recent years.
They will have to up their game if they are to reach the latter stages of this World Cup.
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