World Cup draw dates, pots and qualified teams
By Peter Mulemi, March 30, 2022
The road for qualification to the World Cup in Qatar is headed to the homestretch with 32 teams expected to converge in the gulf for the global showpiece in November.
The draw takes place on Friday April 1, 2022 at 12:00pm at a gala event to be held at the magnificent Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar.
There will be eight groups (A-H) with winners from each group meeting runners-up from the next group(Winner group A will face second of group B and so on)
Africa’s representatives have already been confirmed. Tuesday’s action saw Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon book their flights to Qatar. Ghana drew 1-1 with Nigeria to qualify on away goals rule while Cameroon upset Algeria 2-1 in extra time to overturn a 1-0 home loss three days ago. Morocco were too good for DR Congo, smashing them 4-0 in Rabat having drawn 1-1 in Kinshasa. An unfortunate own goal in Mali was all Tunisia needed as they hung on to draw 0-0 with the Stallions in Tunis. Senegal beat Egypt 3-1 in post match penalties to seal their spot.
Qualified teams for the 2022 World Cup
Qatar,Germany,Denmark,Brazil,France,Belgium,Croatia,Spain,Serbia,England,Switzerland,Netherlands,Argentina,Iran,South Korea,Japan,Saudi Arabia,Ecuador,Uruguay,Canada,Ghana,Senegal,Portugal,Poland,Morocco,Tunisia,Cameroon.
Hosts Qatar are among the eight teams seeded in POT 1 and will play in Group A. The other seven seeded teams will be those with the highest FIFA rankings and each will be slotted in the remaining Groups
The countries occupying positions 8-15 in the FIFA rankings will be assigned to Pot 2 while those ranked 16-23 in Pot 3. Countries ranked 24-18 will be in Pot 4. Countries which will win the intercontinental play-offs and the winner of the match between Wales vs Scotland/Ukraine will also be in Pot 4.
POT 1
Qatar,Belgium,Brazil,France,Argentina,England,Spain & Portugal
POT 2
Denmark,Netherlands,Germany,Mexico*,United States*,Switzerland,Croatia & Uruguay
POT 3
Senegal,Iran,Japan,Morocco,Serbia,Poland,South Korea,Tunisia or Canada
POT 4
Asia-Conmebol playoff,Oceania-Concacaf playoff,Repechage Europe,Saudi Arabia,Ecuador,Ghana,Cameroon,Tunisia or Canada.
The opening match will be played on November 21,2022.