The draw for the 2022 World Cup on Friday evening featured intense matchups among the strongest national teams in the world, and it was particularly challenging for some Arab teams who found themselves in difficult groups. Qatar, the host nation, will kick off the tournament with a match against Ecuador in Doha, in Group A, which also includes the Netherlands and Senegal.
Notably, "the group of death" emerged in the draw, which is Group E consisting of Spain, Germany, Japan, and the winner of the postponed playoff between Costa Rica and New Zealand, making them the toughest group in the finals.
Five-time world champions Brazil will face Serbia at the start of matches in Group G, which also includes Costa Rica and Switzerland. Saudi Arabia landed in a tough group with Argentina, Poland, and Mexico, while Tunisia is grouped with France, Denmark, and the winner of the playoff between Peru or an Asian team. Morocco, on the other hand, is placed alongside Croatia, Belgium, and Canada, in a more balanced group than those of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
The tournament will kick off on November 21 and will last for one month, hosted across 8 stadiums. It includes 64 matches, with the final match taking place at Lusail Stadium on December 18.
**World Cup Final Groups:**
- **Group A:** Qatar - Netherlands - Senegal - Ecuador
- **Group B:** England - USA - Iran - Winner of the European playoff (Wales or Scotland or Ukraine)
- **Group C:** Argentina - Mexico - Poland - Saudi Arabia
- **Group D:** France - Denmark - Tunisia - Winner of the playoff (Peru or Australia or UAE)
- **Group E:** Spain - Germany - Japan - Winner of the playoff (Costa Rica or New Zealand)
- **Group F:** Belgium - Croatia - Morocco - Canada
- **Group G:** Brazil - Switzerland - Serbia - Cameroon
- **Group H:** Portugal - Uruguay - South Korea - Ghana
