32 nations that qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 are drawn into eight groups, and here is a group-by-group breakdown.
GROUP A:
Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador
Traditionally, the host nation is selected in Group A and as host, Qatar was automatic in Pot 1 with other best-seeded teams in the world. Despite being hosts they are underdogs of the group. Next came the Netherlands, they missed the last World Cup 2018 in Russia but now they have a new generation of young and talented players. Quarter-final is the minimum they should achieve. In third place in the group came Senegal, they are AFCON 2022 champions, making them the second favorite behind the Netherlands to advance to the next round. The last team in the group is Ecuador, looking at their squad strength they will have to fight hard to avoid an early exit. Two teams that advance to the next round cross path with group B.
QATAR: As hosts, they invested a huge amount of money to improve their football team. That paid off in 2019, as they won their first Asian Cup. Nevertheless, they remain big underdogs in the group. This is their first World Cup appearance. Qatar is led since 2017 by manager Felix Sanchez. The best players are Aram Affix and Hassan Al-Haydon who play for the best club in Qatar Al-Sad and Aloes Ali who plays for Al-Dhulia.
NETHERLANDS: the Netherlands finished third in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, but they did not qualify for the last World Cup 2018 in Russia. For the World Cup 2022, the Netherlands qualified as UEFA Group G winners, this is their eleventh World Cup appearance. Oranje is managed by successful coach Louis van Gaal. Led by one of the best defenders in the world Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool and attacker Memphis Depay from Barcelona, the Netherlands has many young and talented players like Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, and the newest Bayern Munich addition Ryan Gravenberch.
SENEGAL: Senegal qualified for the World Cup 2022 via an exciting penalty shootout against Egypt. Having won AFCON 2022, Senegal established itself as the best team in Africa. This will be their third World Cup appearance. Their manager is since 2015 Aliou Cisse. Sadio Mane transferred from Liverpool to Bayern Munich this summer, he remains their main attacking threat and the hopes of the whole Senegalese nation rely on how effective he will be in Qatar. Other Senegalese big names are goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Chelsea and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Other players to keep eye on are Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye from PSG and Ismaila Sarr from Watford.
ECUADOR: The world Cup 2022 will be Ecuador's fourth appearance. They qualified fourth in South American qualifications. Since 2020 Ecuador is coached by Gustavo Alfaro, their biggest star is experienced 32 years old attacker Enner Valencia who plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey, other mentionable players are defender Pervis Estupinan from Villarreal add young talent Moises Caicedo who joined Brighton last year. But looking at the depth of their squad they will have a tough time going into the next round.
