My Reaction to the World Cup draw
By Jim James
It is always historic when the World Cup Draw takes place, even though it is far from the start of the tournament. “But Jim” you say, “The World Cup always takes place in the summer, which is only 2.5 months away.” However, you’d be mistaken. Because the World Cup is hosted in Qatar, the summer months are so hot there, so they have it in November. Yep, in November.
Anyway, the draw took place today and the 8 groups were determined. In this post I will be reacting to all those groups, including Canada’s. Let’s go.
Group A
Qatar
Ecuador
Senegal
Netherlands
Yes the first game of the World Cup will be Qatar vs Ecuador. A jUicY matchup for the first game. On a more serious note, this is the pushover group, as we all knew it would be. This should be easy for Holland and Senegal. Perhaps Qatar could get a miracle 2nd through the support of the home fans, or perhaps players like Enner Valencia and Byron Castillo could also get Ecuador an underdog run. Again, though, should be pretty easy for Holland and Senegal.
Group B
England
IR Iran
USA
Scotland/Wales/Ukraine
It is arguable whether this draw was more favorable to England than the 2018 World Cup, as they have a better chance of finishing 1st with no Belgium, but if Ukraine get that last part, they also have a higher chance of getting a shock 3rd. All in all though, they should easily get this one. The rest of the group is difficult to predict. There is of course, the Euro Qualifiers that could go any way, the USA who haven’t been in a World Cup since 2014, Iran could be a dark horse in this, this will be a very interesting group to watch.
Group C
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
Leo Messi handed a pretty easy group in his realistically last chance at the World Cup for Argentina. They should get through this pretty easily. However, 2nd place is a free-for-all, realistically between Mexico and Poland, but maybe Saudi Arabia could make a challenge? If Argentina slip maybe 2nd place is their only savior option, as well. Another good group.
Group D
France
United Arab Emirates/Australia/Peru
Denmark
Tunisia
If the UAE can get through their Inter-Continental Playoff, they may actually be a dark horse for this group. Then again, that may actually be the worst journalism you’ve seen all week. Ok, 2nd behind Ale Moreno. Anyway, France draws Denmark again, Tunisia get a hard group again, and the 2 teams likely going through are pretty obvious, however, Denmark may have an off-tournament after doing well at the Euros, but I wouldn’t put too much money on it.
Group E
Spain
Costa Rica/New Zealand
Germany
Japan
Ok, this one should be easy-peasy for Spain and Germany, I’m not even gonna sugarcoat it. However, the real battle will be for 1st, because 2nd place will play Belgium in the RO16. Oof. It is a free-for-all for that spot, but I’m leaning towards Spain there.
Group F
Belgium
Canada
Morocco
Croatia
Here’s the home of the Canucks. Group F is the test, and although we lost 2 of our last 3 games, we didn’t have Davies, it wasn’t crucial that we won all of them, and we were really rotating the squad. Belgium should win, but I believe that it will be a 3-way utter DOGFIGHT for 2nd position. Should be very interesting for the neutral.
Group G
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
Another group like the previous. Brazil should win, but another 3-way dogfight for 2nd, it could go to Serbia, with an on-fire Ale Mitrovic, Switzerland with Yann Sommer, or Cameroon with an overall great team and great supporters, it could go any way, really.
Group H
Portugal
Ghana
Uruguay
Korea Republic
An absolute HECK of a group if storylines are what you want. Portugal faces Korea again, after Korea put Portugal out of the group in 2002, Portugal vs Uruguay, a rematch of the Round of 16 Match in 2018, and Ghana-Uruguay, Ghana’s first chance at revenge since 2010 and the Luis Suarez handball. What a group.
Anyway, that’ll do it. Hopefully I’m one of the first people to do an article like this for 2022, and as always, I’m Jim James, until next time.